This story was written by my young student. During an English session, I found out the reason she didn't like writing was because the work she did always landed in the dustbin. So we decided to do something special. We would write a book, edit it and publish it. We have already published it as gifts for her family and would now like to share it with the fanfiction community. We hope you enjoy this story. Reviews will be appreciated.

We don't own the My Little Pony characters.

Chapter 1: Terrible News

It was a perfect Spring day in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle sighed with pleasure. She was tired after yesterday's hard work. There had been so much to organise for the winter clean up. She had been in charge of making sure everything was done properly. Today she could relax and enjoy the warm spring sunshine. Twilight Sparkle pushed her beautiful, purple mane out of her eyes. She couldn't think of a better way to relax than reading a good book in her spacious tree house.

Just as Twilight Sparkle finished her book, she received a letter from Spike. He was her cheeky assistant. He was the cutest little baby dragon with purple skin and lime green scales. He was responsible for sending letters between Princess Celestia and herself with his fiery breath. Excitedly, Twilight Sparkle opened the letter hoping it was an invitation to study with Princess Celestia. Even though the Princess ruled the land, she had taken Twilight Sparkle on as her student. Princess Celestia was teaching her about the Elements of Harmony, the strongest type of magic in Ponyville, which could only be activated by friendship. Twilight Sparkle loved studying with her.

All her excitement vanished as she read the letter. The letter contained the worst news possible. Princess Celestia had been poisoned. Twilight Sparkle stood terrified. She couldn't believe any pony could be that mean to hurt Princess Celestia. Twilight Sparkle felt a shiver run down her spine.

No... Twilight Sparkle felt more like she was going to be sick!

"I must be brave," she thought. "I must find the rest of the Mane 6. We must help the Princess."

Racing to Apple Jack's farm, Twilight Sparkle tried to think of a plan. "That's it!" she exclaimed, "We will go to Zecora for help."

Zecora was a zebra from a distant land. When she first moved to Ponyville, every pony was frightened of her and her strange powers. Over time, the Mane 6 had made friends with her. Zecora often used potions and spells to conjure up all sort of things to help them out of trouble. Twilight Sparkle hoped Zecora would be able to use her magic to create an antidote to heal Princess Celestia.

She saw Apple Jack among the trees. Apple Jack was hard at work collecting apples, wearing her brown cowboy hat. Her blonde mane glowed in the spring sunshine. When she saw Twilight Sparkle racing towards her, she ran to meet her.

"What's the problem, Twilight Sparkle? You look scared," said Apple Jack, sweat dripping off her beautiful freckled face.

Apple Jack's green eyes widened with fear as Twilight Sparkle explained what the letter had said. She knew they needed to act quickly. She agreed to help round up the other ponies and meet at Zecora's hut in the Everfree forest. Twilight Sparkle shuddered at the thought of entering the Everfree forest. The ponies feared the forest. It was filled with strange creatures and plants.

As she turned to leave, she warned Apple Jack about the stare. Confused Apple Jack asked, "What's the 'stare'?"

"Quick!" Twilight Sparkle said, "Run with me. The 'stare' is a chicken that has the power to turn you into stone."

"Stone!" panted Apple Jack horrified.

"Yes, stone!" said Twilight Sparkle impatiently. "It lives in the Everfree forest. Don't look at it. If it stares at you and you look at it, you will turn to stone. I don't want you turning to stone. Not one single one of you! We must save Princess Celestia."