Chapters Forever Equestrian
"Applejack? Applejack!"
Applebloom came sprinting across Sweet Apple Acres towards the barn. It was getting very late, and the young filly had already been out well past her curfew.
When she arrived, Applejack was already waiting for her at the front door, looking stern.
"Applebloom! Where the hay have ya been this whole time? Ah thought ah told ya to be back by eight!"
Applebloom paused to catch her breath before meeting her sister's antagonising gaze. She knew she was in deep trouble. "Ah thought ya knew ah was goin' to be out late! Didn't Twilight tell you where ah was goin'?"
Applejack narrowed her eyes in a sinister way. "No... she didn't. Applebloom, ya better tell me where you've been this whole time raght now, and it better be the truth! Don’t lie to yer’ ol’ sister!"
"Ah... ah was in the Everfree Forest delivering some books to Zecora! Twilight asked me to!" Applebloom stammered hastily. "Ah was on my way back but ah- ah... got a little lost." She avoided meeting Applejack's eyes, awkwardly kicking the dirt with her hoof.
After a few seconds of silence, she heard her sister sigh. "Well, at least ya made it back safely."
Applejack gave her little sister a brief hug before letting her inside. Just as she was about dash upstairs, Applejack yelled after her. "Don't think ye'r off the hook just yet Applebloom! Ah'll be expectin' to hear the whole story tomorrow!"
Grinning sheepishly, Applebloom said goodnight to her sister and trotted upstairs to her bedroom. Her room was lit by the moon's soft glow and the breeze softly brushed against her face. She flopped onto her bed and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Morning had finally arrived, and Applebloom was stirring in her sleep. A very loud noise was disturbing her slumber. Trying to drown out the unusual noise, Appleboom was firmly pressing her pillow over her head.
The noise was much clearer this time around. "Applebloom! Applebloom, wake up!"
Applebloom groaned, dragging the pillow even further over her ears. "S'too early Applejack..." she slurred, still half asleep. "Ah'll eat breakfast later..."
"I'm not Applejack you silly filly!"
Appleboom jerked her head from underneath the bed cover, tossing her pillow aside. She surveyed her room from left to right. Nopony was there... but...
“Goooooooood morning sleepy head!”
Quickly turning her head to where the voice had come from, Applebloom found herself lying next to Pinkie Pie. The bubbly pink mare had somehow gotten under the covers, and was wearing a big blue night cap. A smile was on her face, the one that all of Ponyville knew.
Applebloom didn’t jump back in surprise, she was too tired. After a few moments of staring at Pinkie, she rubbed her eyes and yawned. “What the hay? Pinkie Pie why’re you in mah bed? Don't ya know what time it is?”
Applebloom gestured toward the clock hanging above on the room wall. Pinkie Pie leaped out of the bed, landing directly in front of the clock. She leaned her face in close, looking thoughtful for a moment. A second later, she repeatedly banged her head onto the clock, then whirled around with an even bigger smile on her face. “Oh, I know what time it is alright!”
“Please don’t say party time, please don’t say party time....”
“Of course it's party time!!!”
Applebloom facehoofed. “Darn it Pinkie, it’s too early for a party!”
Pinkie gasped, taking a hurtful look. “Too early for a party?!” She bounced back over to Applebloom and tossed her off the side of the bed. “Never! Now come on Applebloom, fun times a wastin'!”
Applebloom’s nose was in pain from the fall onto the wooden floor. Before she could pick herself up, Pinkie Pie flipped the filly onto her back and carried her downstairs and out the door. Pinkie Pie bounced towards Ponyville without a care in the world while Applebloom tried to hang on. Stifling another yawn, Applebloom asked what the party was for in the first place.
“It’s the- well at least I think it's the six-hundredth party I’ve thrown ever! I mean, six-hundred is a big number! A big round number! And big round numbers are always the best to celebrate! You know... ten, twenty, thirty, fourty, fifty... Did you know Mayor Mare is almost 50? She never lets me put her age on the birthday banners though. Maybe she’s afraid of big round numbers? Is there a phobia for that? Anyway, I can’t get enough partying and I know you can’t either, ‘cause you party with all your other filly friends! There could be three fillies there, four or five, or another number I'm not going to mention, and boy, we're gonna have so much fun today! Applebloom? Applebloom?!?”
Applebloom had fallen off Pinkie and her legs were dangling in the air. Pinkie Pie, unaware that it was her fault, stopped for a moment and looked back at Applebloom. “Hey! Aren't you coming?”
“Urgh... fine. We're almost at Sugarcube Corner anyway...” groaned Applebloom, shifting her body uncomfortably.
“Hey, chin up, there’s no need to be all frowny and frumpy! You’re gonna have a great time! I just know it!”
Applebloom got back on Pinkie Pie's back and endured the bouncing again.
When they arrived at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie let Applebloom off her back and pushed open the door. Stepping inside, it looked like the party had already started. There were a few older ponies, chatting animatedly with each other. On one side of the room there were young fillies and colts about Applebloom's age playing pin the tail. Everypony looked like they were having a good time.
Applebloom slowly trotted through the crowd, hoping to spot her two best friends. Her face brightened when she saw them sitting by the food table. “Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle!”
The other Cutie Mark Crusaders' faces also lit up upon hearing that unique voice. “Applebloom!” they yelled in unison, running over to her.
Applebloom forgot all about being tired as she joined her friends in a big group hug.
“You’re finally here!” Sweetie Belle smiled. “We thought you’d miss the party!”
“Yeah, what kept you?” Scootaloo continued.
Applebloom was perplexed. “Wait a sec... y’all tellin' me that y'all woke up earlier than ah did? Just to go to Pinkie's party?” Both girls nodded.
Applebloom asked another question. “Did Pinkie Pie wake y'all up and drag y'all out of bed, like me?”
They nodded again. Applebloom shook her head. Heck, there was no use trying to understand Pinkie Pie.
The party continued, with more ponies showing up as time went on. Eventually, the other element-bearers showed up. As Applebloom went to greet them, she noticed that Fluttershy wasn't with them. “Where’s Fluttershy?” she inquired, tugging on Pinkie's leg.
Pinkie Pie looked around to see if Fluttershy was somewhere close by. “Oh... that’s strange. I don’t know where she is... I’m sure I gave her an invitation... maybe she's hiding somewhere, or tending to her animals! You know how Fluttershy doesn’t like big crowds!”
Applebloom was about to ask the other ponies if they had seen Fluttershy when she was pulled away by the other CMCs. “Come on Applebloom! This is a party! We've got to party!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said.
Applebloom didn’t hesitate any longer. “Ok, let’s get crackin'!”
"Hooves up!" the three fillies cheered.
“Hooves up- whatever that statement is meant to make me do- I'm not really sure!” Pinkie Pie yelled from the amongst the crowd.
Flutters
The party continued for quite some time. Applebloom decided to take a break, and sat at a nearby table, taking a sip of her fruit punch. Her eyes wandered around the room until she noticed a strange looking mare she had not seen before. Squinting her eyes to get a better look, Applebloom saw that the mare had a bright, cherry red coat, with a matching mane colour. Her mane was long, reaching down to her shoulders. It draped over her face and covered one of her eyes. Her left ear and her front-left leg had an unnaturally grey shine to them.
Letting curiosity get the better of her, Applebloom cautiously approached the unknown pony. “Miss?”
The red mare looked down at her. “Hello! Who might you be?”
“I’m Applebloom...”
“From the Apple family, right?”
“Yup...”
“I’m Metalhoof. Nice to meet you.”
Metalhoof extended her grey hoof towards Applebloom in a friendly gesture. Applebloom smiled, and shook hooves. Metal's hoof felt hard and cold... almost as though it was artificial.
“Metalhoof? That’s a weird name,” she pondered, letting go of the mare's hoof, “Are you a robot?”
Metalhoof laughed and banged her colourless leg onto the floor twice. It made a heavy clanking sound upon contact with the ground, making Applebloom jerk her head back in surprise. “Yes. I was made by Neuegen Industries. The Canterlot government gave me the right to live in these parts.”
Hearing about the 'right to live' reminded Applebloom of her friend’s similar situation. “That must be nice... my friend Sweetie Belle is a robot too... ‘cept she has to keep it secret since she doesn’t have permission to live like you.” Applebloom said bitterly.
Metalhoof tilted her head curiously. “Your friend is a robot too? I guess we have some things in common. Well, at least one thing.”
“...does this make us friends?” Applebloom asked.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Friends it is.” said Metalhoof with a warm smile.
The next few hours flew by quickly. The party had lasted until evening, and by the time ponies began leaving, the sun was already setting. The five element-bearers sat in a small group with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They talked for a while, mostly about the absence of Fluttershy. Applejack also brought up the camping trip she was planning. Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo said they would be coming, Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were going to think about it.
Twilight ended the conversation before it got too late. "Anyway, it was wonderful talking to you all. We’ll meet again... tomorrow?”
They all nodded.
“Tomorrow.” Twilight repeated.
“Bye!” Applebloom waved to each pony as they left. Scootaloo stayed with Applebloom.
“So, what’s next on the list?” Scootaloo wondered.
The two fillies turned around and noticed a group of ponies who had not left. They were crowded around something, chatting with each other quietly.
Applebloom pointed to the circle of ponies. “Ah wonder what they’re all up to...”
Scootaloo motioned towards a small gap in the group, and the two fillies crawled under the crowd to get to the center of the circle. There was a TV in the middle of the circle, streaming a news broadcast. Applebloom managed to get a spot directly in front of the TV. Scootaloo was not so lucky.
“...her disappearance. Numerous ponies heard a strange noise in the middle of the night, which is reportedly the time when Fluttershy disappeared. One of these ponies was Applejack, a close friend of Fluttershy, and one of the element-bearers.”
The broadcast switched to a rather distraught Applejack. “Look, all ah can remember was that in the middle of the night, ah heard somepony hollering for help! Wasn't Fluttershy's voice... nothin’ like it! Sounded like it was comin’ from the Everfree Forest, and I don’t have to tell ya how dangerous that place is. ‘Specially at night!” Applejack was looking more and more frantic by the minute. “Nopony should be goin’ into the Everfree Forest alone! Not ever!”
“No! Not Fluttershy! It can’t be!” Applebloom cried. A picture of Applebloom appeared on the screen.
“Applejack also told us that her sister, Applebloom, had also gone into the heart of the Everfree Forest, but luckily, escaped unharmed. This is a warning to all residents of Ponyville: do not go into the Everfree Forest under any circumstances! We can’t risk any other ponies going missing!”
The broadcast was stopped by an advertisement for Dan Vs. The older ponies walked away from the TV, talking to each other in hushed tones, leaving the two fillies behind.
“What happened? I couldn’t see!” Scootaloo asked Applebloom.
Applebloom was sniffling, tears in her eyes. “Fluttershy... lost- in the Everfree Forest!”
“No way!”
“We'll have to cancel Applejack’s camping trip! We cam't let her family go missing as well!”
“Don’t worry, I'll make sure that the camp is not set up in the forest. How about in the field?”
Applebloom didn't answer. She was uneasy about how close the camp was to the forest, and set in her heart that she would not be going.
Scootaloo was a little doubtful herself, but didn’t want to make Applebloom worry anymore. Noticing her friend's darkened mood, she gave Applebloom a hug. “I'll tell Applejack to set up in the field. See you at the camp!” Scootaloo reassured Applebloom, running towards the horizon.
Applebloom hung her head, and prayed to Celestia that no other pony would get lost.
Princess Celestia was at her desk in the highest tower of her palace, a place she spent most of her time in. Several scrolls were scattered around and on the desk. They were from random Ponyvillians, all addressed to her, with short requests written on them.
The monumental amount of scrolls was all because of a string of magic Celestia had set into motion. Whenever a pony "prayed" to her, the message was created in the form of a scroll at Celestia's desk. At first Celestia was able to cope with the requests that were first sent to her, but then the requests became more and more complex, forcing Celestia to enhance her magic. It had now reached the point where Celestia had to decline some of the genuine requests.
A familiar noise interrupted the Princess' thoughts. As expected, a new scroll had appeared on the table. Using her magic, Celestia reluctantly opened it and read it.
Celestia had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She would've easily been able to turn down a grown mare's request, but a filly's?
Her problems just kept piling up. Releasing a heavy sigh, she made her way towards the tower's circular balcony. The courtyard was calm and peaceful at this time of night. She wished she could relax and clear her head of all of the messages that rung each and every day.
“Forgive me, my dear one,” she spoke quietly to herself. “-but I cannot help you. I cannot answer anyone's prayers. I cannot protect myself. Sometimes, I don't think I am capable of ruling Equestria. It’s times like these where I wish Twilight was at my side...”
She looked back at the letter and slowly closed her eyes. “I wish I could help you Applebloom. I really do...."
The Camp Left Them Behind
The Camp Left Them Behind
As soon as Applebloom had made it home, she went up to her room and onto her bed. She stayed awake for a while, thinking about the strange metal mare she met, and wondering if Fluttershy was safe, whether she was still in the forest or not. It wasn’t long before the little filly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
APPLEBLOOM.
Applebloom’s eyes edged open. She was no longer laying in her bed, but standing in absolute darkness. She could see herself, but the ground and the sky were hidden to her. The red maned filly quivered, but slowly made her way through the darkness, expecting something to jump out and attack her. As she continued her trek, fog rolled in. Applebloom could barely see her own hooves in front of her face. She stopped, looking around for any sign of life, when she spotted a dark shape in the distance. Curiously, Applebloom approached the figure, hoping it was a friendly face. A strange symbol resembling a hollow upside-down triangle glowed on the top of the dark being.
APPLEBLOOM.
“W- who are you?” Applebloom squeaked, taking a nervous step back.
The fog slowly cleared around the silhouette, but remained in sight. The figure moved forward, the right side of it's face becoming visible. Applebloom immediately recognised who it was. “Fluttershy!” she exclaimed happily.
She ran over the greet the kind yellow mare, but as more of Fluttershy came into view, she slowed herself until she was a few feet away. Applebloom nearly cried out at what she saw.
The right half of Fluttershy’s face and mane was normal, but the rest of her body was devoid of any colour, almost as if the life had been sucked out of her. Her left eye had been torn out, and there was a sharp crimson red glow in the middle of the eyehole. She gazed at Applebloom, tears in her coloured eye, but no emotion on the other side of her face.
WE ARE SORRY THAT WE HAVE TREATED YOU THIS WAY, BUT DO NOT WORRY, NOW YOU ARE SAFE.
Fluttershy’s voice was like two breathy whispers, one normal, and one very low in pitch. Every word she spoke sent cold shivers down Applebloom’s spine.
WE WON’T TOUCH YOU. YOU WILL BE SPARED -BUT EVERYONE ELSE WILL BE TAKEN.
“Huh?” Applebloom tilted her head in confusion. Fluttershy continued to stare at Applebloom with listless eyes.
“Wait...” said Applebloom, slowly recalling past events, eyes widening. “Scootaloo!”
Immediately Fluttershy stopped crying and smiled. SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN. SHE CHOSE TO BE EVERFREE.
It wasn’t the same warm smile Applebloom was used to seeing on the pink maned pony. She wanted to ask Fluttershy what in Equestria was going on, but the yellow mare started to laugh maniacally as her body faded away in the fog. Applebloom tried to gallop after her, but no matter how fast she ran, Fluttershy always remained out of reach. Suddenly, the ground beneath Applebloom began shifting. Long, slender tendrils began taking form from out of the ground, snaking their way towards her. Applebloom screamed and tried to run, but the tendrils were already upon her. They wrapped themselves around her body, leaving a cold stinging sensation wherever they touched. Now in a full panic, Applebloom began yelling out for somepony- anypony to save her.
Applebloom shot up from her bed, panting heavily. Her entire body was covered in sweat, and her mane was a mess. She sat there for a while, then laid her head back again, calm and breathing softly. It was a dream, but... she had remembered Fluttershy’s words before she disappeared. "Taken? Everfree?"
All at once it dawned on her. “No!!!” she yelled, jumping out of bed. She raced downstairs and out of the farmhouse. It was still nighttime, but the air felt unnaturally cold. Applebloom ran down the path from Sweet Apple Acres, heading straight for the Everfree Forest, tears already rolling down her cheeks. She didn’t know where to begin looking, but she didn’t care. Just as she saw the camp in front of her she tripped over the hill and rolled downwards, landing on her rump with a thud. Rubbing her sore spot, Applebloom looked at her surroundings. She was in the middle of the camp next to a burnt-out campfire and surrounded by tents, each tent their own colour, not too far from the forest.
“This must be the campsite Scoots was talkin’ 'bout.” the yellow filly thought to herself. She trotted over to the campsite, noticing how eerily quiet it was. She found Rarity and Sweetie Belle's tent. They were sleeping inside. A second later she found Big Mac's, he too was sleeping. After those two tents Applebloom found an empty tent. Applejack’s camp bag was hanging on the front pole of the tent. On the side of the tent, in blood, was written “SHE CHOSE TO BE EVERFREE”.
Applebloom's heart raced as she ran from tent to tent, checking if any other pony had been taken. The only other empty tent was Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo's. Once again, their camp bags were hanging out the front of the tent, and on the side was the same bloody message: “THEY CHOSE TO BE EVERFREE”.
Worn out, Applebloom fell down and cried. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo... all three of them gone missing, and she was powerless to do anything about it. Wiping her eyes the filly started to make her way back home. She had to warn everypony about what was going on. That was when the fog rolled in.
Applebloom immediately panicked. This was fog from her dream! She tried running straight ahead, hoping to escape the fog, but she ended up crashing into Twilight's tent. The fog had completely surrounded the campsite, making it near impossible to see the way out. Applebloom stared out into the fog. She could see it... a familiar shape beginning to take form in the distance. With one glowing red eye, Fluttershy stepped out from the fog, crying in her right eye.
EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT. WE WILL NOT HARM YOU. YOU WILL LIVE. STAY WITH US. WE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU AS BEST AS WE CAN.
“No!! Ah can't take this anymore!!” Applebloom screamed. She quickly turned around and ran. She didn’t know where her home was through the fog, but she ran as fast as her legs could take her. Fluttershy’s voice echoed in her thoughts. She ignored the cuts and scratches bumping into the tents and tripping over the country terrain gave her, and kept up her blind gallop. Finally having spent all her energy, Applebloom went limp, laying on her side. As she tried to catch her breath, she lifted her head and looked around. She was no longer at the camp, and there was no fog. Sweet Apple Acres stood at the end of the dirt path, almost beckoning her to come home. Applebloom gave a wary glance back at the campsite before she limped over to the front door. She didn’t notice Fluttershy, who was hiding at the edge of the woods.
Fluttershy watched as Applebloom left. WE ARE SORRY... FORGIVE US...
Applebloom was woken up early again, this time by the sound of knocking on her front door. She wearily got out of her bed and opened it. The news pony she had seen on the TV the day before was there, along with a camerapony.
"What do ya want?" Applebloom sighed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"I am so sorry for disturbing your slumber. My name is Felix, and I'm the reporter for Ponyville News. Due to the fairly recent turn of events, one of them being the disappearance of your big sister, I want you to tell me in detail the trauma you experienced. Applejack told me very little about it before she disappeared."
A tear rolled down Applebloom's cheek at the mention of her sister. "Ok-" she sobbed, "-but please make it quick."
“Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were taken yesterday night while they were on a camping trip.” Applebloom explained. After being interviewed by Felix, she had gone into town, seeking Metalhoof. She found the cherry red pony at Pony Joe’s cafe, and the two talked over breakfast.
Metalhoof spat out her drink in surprise. “Three more? Wasn’t Fluttershy enough?”
“All that was left were their camp bags. On the side of their tents, blood writing. ‘They chose to be everfree’...”
“This is getting insane!” Metalhoof exclaimed, “I’m surprised the Princesses aren’t getting involved in this...”
Applebloom sighed. She had already tried contacting Celestia, but the sun goddess didn't seem to have offered any help. Deciding to rest her head, Applebloom called out to Pony Joe to turn on the TV. Unfortunately, the news channel was on, streaming the interview.
Felix appeared on the screen. “-but, at this very moment, we only have one accurate witness. Applebloom.”
The camera cut to Applebloom’s kitchen, where the interview had taken place. Felix could be heard off-camera. "Just quickly run down the story for us, what happened when you were in the forest with Twilight?"
Applebloom was sniffling as she told the reporter her story. “Well, we were delivering books to Zecora, but we got trapped by lots of fallen trees, so while Twilight tried to clear the way, ah went off to explore a little. Ah found this place called “Sunny Town” and ah couldn’t believe it: a bunch of ponies, livin’ out in the Everfree Forest! The weird thing was, all the ponies had no cutie marks. Ah kept walkin’ and found an abandoned house, but all that was in it was a fireplace, with somepony’s bones in it! Ah got out of the house as quick as ah could, but when ah came out, the whole town was completely destroyed, and these black pony zombies came outta nowhere and started... started chasin’ me! Ah was runnin’ for my life, until this strange mare with glowing yellow eyes found me, and she teleported me back to Twilight. Ah think ever since ah escaped, those zombies ponies have taken over the entire forest...”
The interview continued for some time. When it was finished, Metalhoof looked at Applebloom with pity. “You poor filly...” She gave Applebloom a tight hug. “Nopony should have go through all that! Not on their own!”
Applebloom felt somewhat uneasy with what Metalhoof had just said.
Later that day, Metalhoof made her way towards the Acres, a determined look on her face. She banged on the door, and was greeted by Big Macintosh.
The stallion looked worse than Applebloom. Eyes bloodshot, mane cut in places and scrunched up, legs slightly caved in... like he hadn’t slept in days. It was surprising that he could speak so cheerfully while his body was giving up on him.
Metalhoof cringed. “Uh...is Applebloom here?” she asked.
“Eeyup. Raght here.”
Big Mac shuffled over to the right side of the door. Applebloom came into sight, but she didn't look at the red pony by the front door. She was too depressed to focus on anything.
“Hello Felix.” Applebloom sighed.
“Applebloom, it's me, Metal.”
Applebloom looked up, beamed, and pounced onto Metalhoof. "Metal!" she cried.
“After you showed me the news report, I thought you might've wanted some company. You do look like you could use some cheering up.”
“Ah guess so... ah haven’t had any reason to smile lately.”
"Applebloom... how about I get Sweetie Belle to come over?"
Applebloom sniffed, tears of joy glistening in her eyes. "You'd get Sweetie Belle?"
"What do you expect, we're friends!"
Applebloom hugged Metalhoof. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Everfree Blanks
Metalhoof stood in front of the Everfree Forest. The sunlight barely penetrated through the forest's thick trees, leaving only thin rays of light to illuminate the forest floor. Still, the path was dark and dangerous. Metalhoof felt a bead of sweat run down her mane.
"This is a terrible idea, I know-" Metalhoof said to herself, "-but if it's for the greater good then I might as well."
She swallowed her courage, and began to creep into the darkness awaiting her. Ghastly faces were carved into the trees to scare ponies away, but Metalhoof had to keep going. Through all of this darkness there was bound to be hope.
Metalhoof thought she saw something amongst the bushes, a strong blue glow of some sort. She started to back away, but realising it might not be harmful, decided to investigate. She got closer to the bush the glow was coming from, and pounced at it, but then realised the glow wasn't behind the bush any longer... it had warped to the forest entrance.
Metalhoof turned her head around slowly. A stallion stood there, emitting blue light from all around itself. It had no eyes, mane or mouth, and it’s body was completely white, from it’s head to it’s flank.
Metalhoof, losing her courage, scrambled to get away, but the stallion noticed the sudden movement, and ran at her. She rushed blindly into the heart of the forest, trying to ignore the light catching up to her. Without warning, she was suddenly pulled back. It felt as though the very air around was wrapping itself over her body. Metalhoof tried to scream, but nothing came out her mouth. The air became thicker and thicker, making it hard to breathe or see. It continued to thicken, engulfing Metalhoof’s entire body until...there was nothing. Only darkness.
Metalhoof awoke with a start. She was lying on floor of what looked like somepony’s home. Remembering what had happened moments ago, Metalhoof frantically checked her body, just in case. Whatever that... thing was, it was gone.
With a sigh of relief, she picked herself up and began looking around. There were strange bottles vials of liquids lining shelves, and exotic plants hanging from the ceiling. In the center of the room was a large cauldron. Peering over the edge, she saw a strange, bubbling green fluid inside. Curious, Metalhoof poked at the vicious liquid, licking it off her hoof. She retched in disgust at it’s foul taste, wiping the rest off with a nearby cloth. This was definitely Zecora's hut, but Zecora wasn't there. Moving towards the front door, she noticed a change. The hut was a disheveled mess. Potions and concoctions were spilled over or broken on the floor. Books were strewn about, with pages torn out and left scattered everywhere. Either Zecora was in a hurry, or somepony came looking for her. Metalhoof’s head began throbbing in pain for some reason, so she lay still, trying to collect her thoughts.
As the pain left her she noticed blood was trickling onto the floor. Metalhoof slowly touched her hoof to her forehead, and almost screamed. Blood! There was blood running down her face! Panicking, she rolled onto her hooves and started making her way out the door. When she glanced back, she noticed the spot where she had laid down was stained with blood. Thinking it was her own, Metalhoof approached the blood soaked floor. The blood itself was a much darker red, and it gave off a pungent smell that made her wonder how she could have just laid there without noticing. Still, she was glad it wasn’t her own blood. Metalhoof lowered her head to get a better look. Just like the blood writing Applebloom described, there was a message on the floor:
"YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE A STRONG PONY,
Metalhoof shuddered. This was not what she wanted. Not at all. She could feel the pain returning to her head, even stronger this time. She scanned the shelves of the hut for any potions, anything at all to dull the pain, but almost all of the potions that could've helped her had been spilled over or were empty. Nothing was left.
Metalhoof backed out of the house and looked around. The trees had turned an unnatural black and the ground was a dark turquoise, making it look as though she were standing over an abyss. The whole forest looked more unwelcoming than usual. Only the inside of Zecora's hut retained it's usual colour, a stark contrast to the rest of the woods. With no destination in mind, Metalhoof ventured out into the forest once again.
Lost and alone, Metalhoof continued to wander aimlessly through the thick woods. All the while, she felt as though something were following her, watching her every move. Suddenly, the sound of heavy breathing came from behind her. Metalhoof whipped her around just in time to see a black figure crawl out of the ground. All that was visible were it's piercing red eyes. It made groaning and weezing noises, but Metalhoof could hear it speaking inside her head.
SO WEAK, SO VERY WEAK.
"No. NO! NO!!" Metalhoof cried. She turned to flee, hoping to get away from the figure.
YOU WANT TO RUN. YOU WANT TO ESCAPE.
Metalhoof skidded to a stop as another dark pony appeared from the undergrowth.
YOUR FATE HAS ALREADY BEEN SEALED.
She turned and ran again, dodging and weaving between the trees. But no matter how fast she ran, or which direction she turned, more dark ponies kept forming from underneath her. She couldn’t keep running forever. Metalhoof suddenly felt her body fly forward as she tripped over tree branch. Hastily picking herself up, she found herself in front Zecora's hut.
"What the...?!" she panicked. "Have I been going in circles? But I went in a straight-"
A voice in her head interrupted her thoughts. YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. THIS IS YOUR HOME. STAY WITH US.
The black ponies stepped out from their hiding places, staring at Metalhoof with lifeless eyes.
"NO WAY!" she screamed. "I am not going to join your... dark... club of ponies!"
Metalhoof thought she saw Fluttershy amongst them. She looked closer, and sure enough, A fully coloured and distressed Fluttershy was frantically running through the forest, calling "Is anypony out there? Hello? Please answer me!".
"Over here!" Metalhoof cried, running towards her. Much to her surprise, the dark ponies did nothing but watch as she brushed past them.
Fluttershy eyes widened as she saw the cherry red pony. "Oh, thank goodness!” she smiled as she wrapped Metalhoof in a hug. “I thought somepony might be lost out here...come on, let's get out of here before you get taken!"
Metalhoof nodded in agreement. With a few flap of her wings, Fluttershy broke through the black covering of the forest. She grabbed Metalhoof’s front hooves and began lifting her higher into the air. Metalhoof had to use her wings as well to help keep Fluttershy in the air as she could see the yellow pony wasn't strong enough to fly with extra weight. The sky was also black, just as black as the trees. At this Metalhoof felt scared again.
Fluttershy gently lowered Metalhoof to ground, and landed beside her. From this distance, the Everfree Forest looked like a black wall. Metalhoof shuddered uncomfortably. At least the dark ponies couldn't call her from the outside.
"That was really close..." Fluttershy began, "-you could've been killed!".
"Well what do you expect when you're being chased by those... black things!” Metalhoof sighed.
Fluttershy sank onto the ground in exhaustion. "Ugh... I know that feeling."
"So, where to now?" Metalhoof asked Fluttershy. "We're still quite close to the forest, don’t you think we should get further away?"
"We should... but, um... this time, could you carry me?" Fluttershy said quietly. “I- I mean if it’s not too much trouble! It’s just that I’m really tired from wandering the forest, and flying you back, so..."
Metalhoof sighed and propped the timid yellow mare onto her back, then trotted off into the distance.
She eventually reached the outskirts of this alternate Ponyville, but as the town came into view, she gasped in surprise. The houses had been dyed black too, and all of the houses that Metalhoof passed by had been damaged badly. Windows were smashed, doors knocked off their hinges, large chunks of the roofs and walls gone. Such houses gave her more reason to be afraid.
"What happened here?" Metalhoof asked Fluttershy.
"I really don't know." Fluttershy explained. "This is what I found when I escaped the forest."
"Where are the all the other ponies?" Metalhoof questioned Fluttershy again.
When Fluttershy didn’t respond, the red mare almost exploded in anger.
"WHERE ARE THE OTHER PONIES?" Metalhoof screamed, throwing Fluttershy off her back.
The pink maned mare landed with a thud, curling up into a ball and shivering in fear. "I- It was too late! Nopony trusted me! I t- tried to rescue them, but nopony listened to me. They're all blank now!"
Metalhoof paced back and forth, trying calm herself down before. "Blank?" she asked.
Fluttershy had stopped shivering at this point, but she still didn’t look at Metalhoof as she answered. "Those dark ponies you saw in the forest..." she explained, “It always starts with somepony hearing voices in their head... sometimes, in their dreams. It calls out to them from the Everfree Forest, and then, when they go in... they... they turn into one of those horrible things!”. Tears began welling up in Fluttershy's eyes.
Metalhoof’s expression softened at the mare. She helped her up and reassured her that the dark ponies couldn’t reach them here.
“T- thank you...” she said, sniffling quietly.
The two mares followed the path to Fluttershy’s cottage, which was remarkably in better condition than the other houses in town, but damage was still visible.
"Well, here's your house." Metalhoof announced.
"I don't live in my house anymore,” Fluttershy sighed, “-I wander around the place. The buildings are always changing shape, so most of the time I sleep out on the road."
"You mean the houses rebuild themselves?" Metalhoof looked confused.
"In some way, then they damage themselves again."
"Huh. Is there a way back to the real Ponyville?"
"There is one way,” Fluttershy said, looking thoughtful, “...but it's too hard to catch him."
"Wait... what? Catch who?"
"He's a glowing stallion. He’s always wandering around both Everfree Forests. I’ve seen him few times... he never says anything, all he does is look at me... b- but I’m sure he’s a nice pony! You just have to find him and catch him... I haven’t been able to."
Metalhoof was going to question how Fluttershy knew all this, when she saw the stallion in the corner of her eye. It turned around and galloped off into the woods.
"Well I'm going to catch him." she said.
"Wait, don't leave me!" Fluttershy cried.
"Why don't you come with me? That way you'll be able to escape with me." Metalhoof turned to leave.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Metalhoof looked back at Fluttershy, disturbed by the unusually altered voice. She was crying, but as she did, a hollow upside-down triangle was forming on her head.
Metalhoof whimpered. She shut her eyes and ran off into the clearing once again, hoping to find the stallion. An even more altered voice started echoing in her head, causing her heart to beat faster.
COME BACK. NOW.
When Metalhoof opened her eyes, a blank was forming in front of her. She turned to the left, and another blank appeared. To the right, another blank. Everywhere she turned there were dark figures forming. She was completely surrounded.
YOU'RE WEAK, SO WEAK.
Metalhoof stared in the direction of the voice. Fluttershy stood there, but her body and the left half of her face were uncoloured. She smiled menacingly. The triangle on her forehead glowed white.
"You... lied to me... all this time..." Metalhoof cried. The blanks surrounding her edged closer every second.
WELL YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IN HOPE IN THE FIRST PLACE. YOU DIDN'T DESERVE TO LIVE, YOU BELONGED WITH US ALL THIS TIME. YOUR FATE HAD BEEN SEALED. YOU COULD'VE BROKEN THE CHAIN, BUT YOU DIDN'T. YOU CHOSE TO BE EVERFREE. YOU CHOSE TO BE WITH US.
One of the blanks pounced on Metalhoof. It flicked it’s snake-like tongue along Metalhoof’s neck. Metalhoof shivered in disgust and rolled on her side, knocking the dark pony off her. It hissed at her, picking up the Stetson hat that had fallen off it’s head in the scuffle. The cherry red mare gasped as she realized who it was.
AND NOW YOU MUST. FOREVER.
Everfree
Applebloom hadn't seen Metalhoof all night. She didn't return with Sweetie Belle, like she should've. Instead, Sweetie Belle trotted to Applebloom alone and unaccompanied. The fillies talked quietly for a while before Sweetie Belle returned home. Neither of them were in the mood to mention what was happening in Ponyville, but their minds were full of it. Applebloom was starting to grow apprehensive... wasn't Metalhoof her buddy? Friend? Pal? Friends never leave each other without reason. Her mood became more and more sour as time slipped away.
At afternoon break, Applebloom decided to pay Metalhoof a visit. She galloped off to where she thought the metallic mare lived. Nopony responded to her frantic knocking. To her surprise, the door swung open. The small filly stepped inside hastily. Metalhoof’s house was pretty modest. There were the usual furnishings, along with a few strange devices she had never seen before. Applebloom wondered if they had something to do with the fact that Metalhoof was a cyborg... robot... pony. Shaking her head, she continued to investigate the house. Entering the kitchen, she gasped when she saw the all too familiar blood writing on the wall. Applebloom didn't have to decipher the blood stained letters. She already knew what they spelt.
It wasn’t long before Applebloom stood at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Summoning all her courage, she slowly advanced forward into the dark woods... and promptly got lost. To her, it seemed like she had been wandering for ages. Deciding to take a break, she lay down in a thick patch of grass. Just as she was about close her eyes for a nap, the stallion heard the soft noise from amongst the bushes and stared at her. Applebloom didn't dart away. She remained seated, staring back at the pale pony. She watched it approach her, all of her emotions flushing out of her small body. It bounded upon her, causing Applebloom to flinch, but Applebloom didn't feel the collision. She felt a cold, weightless sensation, as though she were floating in the air, then a hard surface replaced it.
Applebloom’s eyes fluttered open. Taking in her surroundings, she guessed that she was in Zecora's hut. She had been to see Zecora before. Ignoring the lack of the zebra’s presence or the blood stained floor, the red maned filly exited the hut. When she stepped outside, the forest had changed. Black trees. Dark turquoise grass. This was the alternate dimension she had escaped from some time ago. She stumbled some length into the woods until some blanks appeared around her. Applebloom didn't stir. She simply prayed in her dizzy head for everything to end. She didn’t care how, as long as it was soon.
EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT. THERE IS NO NEED TO HIDE. YOU'RE EVERFREE NOW. YOU WILL REMAIN HAPPILY WITH US. FOREVER.
NO. STOP.
Applebloom’s head suddenly perked up, surprised to hear a different kind of voice... Fluttershy's altered whisper. She turned slowly, and saw the partially coloured Fluttershy she had seen in her dream the night before. REMEMBER WHO THIS FILLY IS. WE MUST NOT TAKE HER.
The blanks wordlessly shuffled off into the Everfree, leaving Applebloom and Fluttershy alone.
"Fluttershy... take me. Please, jus’ make me into one of those... things. Ah don't want to bear any more guilt." Applebloom cried.
WE'RE SORRY, BUT WE CANNOT. IF WE TAKE YOU, THEN WE'LL BE CONFINED TO THAT AREA OF THE FOREST.
"Then kill me another way. Ah don't want to live anymore. Since this whole thing started, my life’s been nothing but a nightmare. My friends, my big sister... ah can’t take it anymore..."
APPLEBLOOM...
"Let me die here. This- this is too much for me. Ah can’t escape no matter where ah run or hide."
Fluttershy's face softened as she looked at the pitiful filly. Colour began to return to her body, and the black of her eye began to drain away, restoring itself to it natural state. The triangle however, remained. Her voice returned to it’s familiar quiet whisper as she spoke. "Please don't think this way. I don't want you dead."
Applebloom simply looked up at Fluttershy.
"I want to leave, but I can't. I've been taken, and I'm forever bound to a death of feeding off souls." explained Fluttershy.
Applebloom's eyes sparkled. "You really do want to leave?"
"Throughout all of my death I only want to live again, but I know there is no life after my death."
"Have you tried?"
"The stallion doesn't want to free any of us blanks. I can never catch him, now matter how hard I try. I understand though. This is my death." Fluttershy looked towards the forest then back at Applebloom. "I want you to go back to the real Ponyville. It is your home, and you have a life to live there."
Applebloom hugged Fluttershy. For a moment, she felt warmth being transferred from the kind yellow mare to herself, but it evaporated just as quickly as it came. "Thank you." she whispered. She then ran off into the distance to find the stallion again.
Fluttershy's colour shrivelled back until it was only on the left side of her face again. COME BACK SOME TIME, APPLEBLOOM.
Applebloom ran over to the stallion that had been watching her in the distance, feeling much better inside. It saw Applebloom and turned to run, but Applebloom launched herself through the air, latching onto his back leg. In an instant, the entire world started spinning and fading. Applebloom felt dizzy from all of the colours racing around her. It felt as though she was being rocketed through the air.
Applebloom shut her eyes, and the dizziness died off immediately. The air around her was calm and still. Cracking one eye open, she looked around. The young filly was facing Sweet Apple Acres. Her home. She opened both her eyes and looked back. The stallion stood at the edge of the forest, near the campsite. Although he had no eyes, Applebloom could tell he was looking at her kindly. Before she could thank him, he turned back towards the forest and ran inside.
Applebloom faced the barn again and sighed. Despite all the trouble she held close, Fluttershy remained in her heart. Applebloom trotted towards the farmhouse, without looking back.
In Canterlot, one of the royal guards was making his way up a tall flight of stairs, being careful not to drop the tray of food in his telekinetic grip. Princess Celestia was, supposedly, studying in the observatory tower, and had requested not to be disturbed. Still, the kitchen staff were worried for the Princess, and ordered for her lunch to be brought up to her tower.
"Princess Celestia, lunch is served- Princess?"
Celestia wasn't there.
"Princess?" the guard called again, looking around the room. Scrolls were scattered all over the floor. The guard carefully made his way toward the desk where Celestia wrote most of her letters. He brushed the scrolls on the right hand side of the desk off of it and placed the food tray in their place.
"She probably took a break." he guessed. He turned back to leave, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something unusual on the wall behind the desk.
There was a single scroll pinned to the wall. A circle of black paint surrounded it. The seal on the scroll was black paint, rather than the orange and cobalt blue stamp Celestia normally used.
"Well that's unusual for the Princess." the guard pondered to himself. He removed the seal and rolled the scroll down, but what was written made his eyes narrow. Immediately he ran downstairs, screaming "Celestia! Princess Celestia! Come quick, you must see this!".
END
