Lifting Spirits
It was morning in Ponyville. The weather team scheduled no rain or storms. Nearly everypony was outside enjoying the gorgeous weather.
Fluttershy trotted through the Everfree, holding a woven basket in her mouth. She journeyed swiftly, yet cautiously, sticking to the path. Though it was day, the trees cast long, tall shadows. Fluttershy was careful not to trip on a stump in the dim light.
A crooked sign marked her destination. Froggy Bottom Bogg. Fluttershy set the basket down on a nearby stone, unveiling the cloth that covered it with her mouth. Fluttershy glanced around her. Frogs were eyeing the basket of food, yet keeping their distance from it.
"D-don't be scared," Fluttershy assured, "I wont hurt you," she grabbed the basket's handle and pushed it further towards the group of wary frogs. "I brought these for you, little froggies," she urged. Why are they so timid? She wondered.
The frogs started backing away, leaving Fluttershy confused. Usually, the frogs accepted Fluttershy right away. Usually, every animal accepts her. That was when Fluttershy noticed they weren't staring at the basket of snacks, or her, but the hydra.
The hydra stood behind Fluttershy, all four heads inches from her. She winced as their warm, moist breath contacted her skin. She slowly turned around, her eyes bulging out of her head. All eight emerald green eyes glared at her.
"Argh!" Fluttershy screamed, galloping away. The hydra followed close, it's feet shaking the earth with every step.
Rainbow Dash woke with a start. She studied her surroundings. She was laying on a white, puffy cloud overhanging the Everfree Forest's entrance. She looked around, confused of what woke her up from her nap. Who screamed? Why were they screaming?
Another scream came from the forest; a loud, helpless yelp. "Futtershy?" Dash realized as she flew into the Everfree without thinking.
Fluttershy squirmed helplessly in the claws of the monster. Tears streamed down her cheeks as one of the hydra's heads opened it's maw wide.
"No!" shouted a fierce voice. Fluttershy watched as the mystery pony flew at the creature. The pegasus pony aimed for the hydra's head, kicking it with her hind leg, a trail of rainbows behind her.
The hydra's head was knocked back. It loosened it's grip on the small, yellow pegasus, causing Fluttershy to fall out of it's claws. The hydra retaliated, swiping it's claws at the blue blur swarming around her.
"R-Rainbow Dash…" Fluttershy called softly from the ground to the blue mare. The hydra swatted again, contacting the rainbow pony and sending her crashing into the bog. After rubbing it's injured muzzle, all four hydra heads resumed focus on the small, cowering pegasus curled up on the ground.
The hydra roared loudly, kicking the yellow mare in anger. The claws penetrated Fluttershy's fur, creating deep gashes. An irony crimson fluid soaked her fur. Fluttershy gritted her teeth before emitting a terrible scream of pain.