Up the mountain. Knuckles and AJ's expedition.
Apple acres was one of the best places to get apples. Over there were two of the strongest people or rather pony and echidna were doing their usual stuff. They collected the apples by punching and kicking trees as they used their abilities. AJ and Knuckles however was at it again competing to see who's better. Every time they punched and kicked the tree, barrels under it instantly filled with apples of all varieties. Their "race" took place with incredible speed, and nothing could keep up with them. That's when they heard a bell ring and the two knew that meant it was break time. AJ was today wearing an orange shirt with some blue shorts and her normal cowgirl hat and boots. She took the hat off and wiped away the sweat by wearing a smile on her face. She then turned her eyes at Knuckles who was rolling his arms in a circle as he looked back.
"Not to shabby AJ you're getting better, but unfortunately so am I." He said as he grinned at AJ. AJ then chuckled.
"Hehe keep telling yourself that knuckle-hunk." She said "But I will say you and I are definitely getting better and stronger the more we applebucking or in your case punching and training we do." AJ then picked up a few baskets of apples and brought them over to the barn. Knuckles however picked up a few more. He then caught up with Applejack, and grinned at her, as if boasting the fact that he picked up more baskets than she was.
"You were saying?" He asked teasingly. AJ was only about to rolling her eyes up and sighing in annoyance.
"You my companion are too impossible to understand." She stated, but Knuckles only laughed at this.
"Sorry, were you about to say too Incredible?" He asked as his grin turned wider. AJ just shook her head and smiled.
"You are something incredible, but not what you think." She said with a sarcasm. Knuckles simply chuckled again and then he added some speed for his steps.
"Last one is a rotten eggman." He said as he ran for the barn. AJ of course excepted the challenge and tossed the basket in the air and ran. She then flew by Knuckles and made it to the door as the basket landed in her hands with all the apples. Knuckles then smirked as he made his way. "Show off." He snapped at her.
"Hehe hey you called the challenge. I'm just using my apple family instincts." She said with pride and wrapped her left leg around her right, by leaning against the doorway. Knuckles smirked as the two went in with the baskets. Applebloom was in the kitchen along with Granny Smith. Granny Smith was in her usual outfit, but Applebloom was wearing a yellow/green t-shirt with red shorts and white sneakers. Applebloom then turned to see the two.
"Oh hey sis. How was the apple bucking?" She asked her older sister. Applejack just smirked.
"Heh see for yourself." She and Knuckles then placed all the apples down on the table and Applebloom was in awe.
"Wow that's a lot of apples." She said astonished by the amount of apples on the table. Knuckles smiled with proud smile on his face and crossed his arms over the chest, while AJ just smiled at her sister. They then helped to bake some of the apples and apple pies.
It was a night time. The steer was dark and the moon shone brightly in the night sky. After the long day work, our couple was in AJ's room, as they were lying on the bed, and enjoying their free time. AJ's legs was lying on the pillow as she herself was lying on her right side and her eyes were fixed in a book, which she borrowed from Twilight's library. Knuckles is lying his head on the pillow, with his left hand hidden under his pillow, and with his right hand on his stomach as he scratched his stomach by moaning in pleasure because of good food. He then opened his eyes and looked at his girlfriend's legs, his smile was replaced by a smirk as her legs laid on a pillow beside his face.
"Hey AJ." He said as the smirk grew on his face, "I love your legs, but I'd like to see your face as well."
"But why you aren't satisfied with my legs?" Applejack asked playfully and smiling, as she looked up from her book and nudged her eyebrows up and down, "You yourself constantly saying that they are beautiful."
Knuckles grinned devilishly and then rose slightly, and clung to the legs of his girl. His hands then started to crawl as two spiders up on her body, what prompted her to giggle as it was ticklish. After his hands reached her waist he wrapped his both arms around her and nuzzled at her. He kissed her cheek, before he glanced deep inside her green eyes.
"I love your face more." He said, causing her to smile happily. He then glanced at the book and fixed his eyes on it, "What are you reading?" He asked in curiosity. AJ glanced at the book before she spoke.
"Oh, it's that type of books, which you have to read." She answered, "It's just a little history of Ponyville. Remember it was my family who first settled here ya know." Knuckles just rolled his eyes.
"Right it's not like you've told me that a billion times." He said with sarcasm. AJ just chuckled some more at him. Knuckles then felt silent and then they both glanced at the book. Silence reigned in the room for a moment before Knuckles and Applejack both got bored of reading and sighed before AJ closed the book and placed it down.
"I got bored." She stated wearily as she was showing she was tired
"Me too." Knuckles said sighing as well, before he turned his head to the window and saw the mountains somewhere far away. He then made his eyes wide as his mind came up with idea about how they could spend their free time and to get any thrills. He then smiled and turned to his cowgirl.
"Hey AJ how do you feel about doing some more climbing tomorrow?" He asked. AJ smirked as she set her hat down and then laid on the top of Knuckles, by bending both of her legs. She gave him a playful grin and pressed her index finger on his nose.
"You know the answer to that one you knucklehead." She said as she gave him a noogie. Knuckles then fixed his hair and let her lay beside him.
"So first thing at the crack of dawn we go and climb the mountains, got it?" Applejack said as Knuckles then gave off a grin.
"Hehe Got it, we'll be on that mountain faster than you can say 'Master Emerald'!" He said as Applejack nods. Knuckles then smirked as the two closed their eyes to get a good night's rest.
Dawn broke the next day and AJ and Knux were awaken to the sound of the rooster. Applejack was the first one who wakes up. She wore a soft and smile on her face by lying on the pillow, and wrapped in a blanket strongly. She then opened her emerald green eyes and smirks as she felt Knuckles's hands were wrapped around her and his body is pressed against hers. She then rose up a little and notices her boyfriend still having a happy smile and not waking up after the roosters screams.
"Wake up Knucklehead! We need to get a head start on climbing." She shook his head to wake him up. But Knuckles didn't wake up immediately. He then grimaced with his eyes still closed, and then he let go of his girlfriend. He turned to the other side and moved to the other edge of the bed and continued his dream.
"Mmmmmmm…" Was the only thing that he managed to mutter, "Mbrdmghm…" He muttered again. Applejack was not happy about it. She then got out of the bed, being only in underwear and a bra, she then pulled the blanket off the bed, leaving Knuckles without cover. Knuckles, lying on the bed, curled up like a baby, or fetus. He then winced harder, and began to fidget in bed. After some fidgeting, he sprawled on full bed, as he smiled again and continued his dream. AJ didn't like it, and then she grabbed his feet and began pulling him out of bed. Knuckles woke up after that, and frowned at her, when he opened his eyes.
"Grrrgrh, alright alright I'm up already." Knuckles said with an annoyed tone as he woke up. He then hops of the bed and gets his shoes and gloves on, but as he was heading out AJ tossed him something. It was a bright red jacket with some flames going down the sleeves. He looked at AJ to meet with her smirk.
"Granny Smith made that for you yesterday, but you were busy so I held on to it. It was late last night so I couldn't give it to ya. Figured in case we ran into some cold weather you'd at least have something to wear." She said as she placed her hands on her waist. Knuckles smirked of course both at seeing his girl in her undergarments and at the jacket and he then spoke.
"Well I have to say your Granny Smith is good at making sweaters or in this case jackets I'll say that." He looks at the jacket and AJ just chuckles.
"Yeah, my Granny is the best at this." She stated, "You just wait untill she will make a pants for you."
Knuckles smirked at her, as he then pulled his jacket on his shoulders, "There's no need in pants for me, blondie." He said, and then started to go downstairs, "I'll prepare the equipment. Come down when you're ready." He said as he went down downstairs as AJ was getting ready for their climb. She got on what looked like a climbing outfit. A pair of blue jeans, orange short sleeve shirt with a orange/yellow jacket and her regular cowboy boots along with her trademark stetson hat. She then heads down to see Knuckles was already prepared for a hiking in the mountains. In front of the door with two large tourist backpack at his feet. He then tosses one of the bags to AJ who catches in and straps it on her back. Granny Smith then came down and smiled at the two.
"You fellars on your way to the mountains?" She asked. AJ smiled at her granny.
"Yep we sure are." She said as she tilted her hat down.
"Are you sure you don't want to go with us, ma'am?" Knuckles asked Granny Smith.
"Yes I'm sure. My bones aren't what they used to be. Plus this is something for you two. Go on and Knuckles please keep an eye on her." She said by teasing her granddaughter.
"GRANNY!" AJ said in embarrassment as her cheeks turned deep red. Knuckles just smirked and almost snickered seeing his tough cowgirl embarrassed, but was able to hold it in. He then spoke.
"But don't worry nothing ain't going to happen to her on my watch. Count on it." He said before he turned his eyes on AJ, "I will keep an eye on her even when she's in the shower to wash." He said as Applejack slaps him in the head from the comment.
"While that's very nice of ya Knux, I still want to keep my privacy in there thank you very much!" She said with an angry tone in her voice. Knuckles rubbed his head in the place where she slapped him, but he still wore a smirk on his face, before he grabbed his bag. He then hung it on his right shoulder before he turned to granny Smith again.
"See you in a few days, Granny Smith." He said before he headed out of the barn, "Let's go, AJ." He called his girlfriend out. AJ sighed before she smiled at her grandmother.
"Are you sure, you could handle the farm without me?" She asked.
"Just go already. You have both worked hard, and I must say that you've been working waaaaaay too much." Granny Smith said with a smirk, "Both of you deserve a few days off."
"Thanks Granny." AJ said with a soft smile on her face before she followed Knuckles. She soon switched into a run to keep up with him. As the two left Granny Smith walked over to the kitchen to make breakfast. She then turned to a photo of her, Applejack, Big Mac, AppleBloom, and Knux next to a photo of AJ and her parents.
"Hehe... Just like her parents that's for sure." She said to herself, before she proceed her cooking.
Meanwhile, Knuckles and AJ made their way to the mountains. They then stopped at the base and Knuckles turned in AJ.
"You ready?" He asked. AJ reached into her bag and got out a rope with a hooks and clips. She then looks at him and with a grin of confidence
"You bet partner. Let's do this." She said as she strapped up and Knuckles strapped up as well. AJ the connected the lines with Knuckles strap. Knuckles nodded as they slipped on their bags and Knuckles started to climb by digging his knuckles into the rock and AJ was using her bare hands to climb as well. The two then started to scale the mountain. A few minutes into the climb Knuckles looked down to see how AJ's doing. But only to see that she's doing fine by climbing the mountain, but was being a little slow. Knuckles then decided to speak.
"Moving a little slow aren't you." He said. AJ just looked up and looked like she was going to growl at him.
"Well excuse me partner, but I don't have spikes on my knuckles like you do." She said as she grunted to get up to where Knuckles was. Knuckles then chuckled before he stretched his hand to hers.
"Need a hand?" He asked as he held his hand out for her. AJ just smirked as she kept climbing.
"Thanks but no thanks partner. I can do this myself." She said as she kept going and past Knuckles. She then turns and smirks as she climbs. "See I told ya I can do it by myself." She said with pride, but as she was climbing she didn't see the that some of the rock wasn't strong enough to carry her weight. She then spoke. "Now look who's-" the rock the slipped off its place and she started to fall. Knuckles then hopped to catch her and slammed his fist through the rock. He then let's AJ get a grip and speaks
"You were saying?" He said with sarcasm. AJ just rolled her eyes at his remorse and kept climbing because she didn't want to hear it from him.
Of course Knuckles just smirks as he resumes his climbing, while staring at AJ for she won't fall. After another half an hour, our couple was almost made it up the first part of the mountain. Applejack grabbed hold of the mountain ledge where the slope was no longer step, but sloping and they could walk on it. She then pushed herself up and climbed onto the ledge. She sat on her lap and began to swallow large portions of air to make up for its losses during ascent up the mountain. After a few deep breaths, Applejack stood up and turned to Knuckles. She then grabbed his arm and helped him to climb onto the ledge too. Knuckles then rose to his feet, and began to breathe deeply to fill the air loss. They both looked at each other and smiled.
"So far so good huh Knux?" She asked as she smirked as he got up on the ledge. Knuckles nudged her on the shoulder, grinning in reply.
"Eeeyup." He said in a Big Mac impression. AJ giggled at his attempt before they glanced on the sloping rise further up the hill. There was a thick coniferous vegetation, and thick grass that grew near the trees. Knuckles smiled at the sight.
"Heh reminds me of Angel Island a little." He said as he looked at the sight, and then he turned to AJ, "If we'll keep the same pace, we can get to the place by the end of the next day." He said, "Tomorrow we will continue our way."
"Sure thing Knux. Let's set up camp for the night then." AJ suggested. Knuckles nodded in agreement, before they headed on the mountain road in a search of the place where they could camping.
After several hours, the night came. Our couple has arranged a camp in a few miles away from the place where they climbed the mountain. The tent was not far from the dense trees. They put some thick pine branches, for no one noticed that there is a tent. Only a faint light from the lamp was seen from the inside.
If we look inside the tent, then we can understand why they wanted to go unnoticed. Knuckles and AJ slept in a sleeping bag for two, and their clothes lay near. Applejack was completely naked, and was asleep on top of Knuckles, with a happy and sleepy smile on her face and her head rested on his chest. Knuckles was lying on a bed with his both arms around his girlfriend, and with a proud smile was watching her sleep. His left arm was around her waist, his right hand was stroking her head and brushed her hair with his fingers. He always loved to watch her sleep, because she looked very cute in this state. He then yawned deeply before reaching out to the lamp and turned it off. A minute later, Knuckles hugged his girlfriend again, and even tighter than it was before, and closed his eyes, but as the two were sleeping the wind started to pick up. There was a storm coming and it wasn't going to be a pleasant one.
Dawn broke the next day as the couple awoke from their slumber. While AJ was tossing on her clothes Knux was fetching so breakfast. By the time AJ had finished Knuckles had gathered up fresh apples and berries. They had there quick breakfast and then packed up the text and got their gear around. AJ then looked at him.
"You ready partner?" She asked as she tilted her hat. Knuckles nodded and the two pressed onwards. They then started to resume their climb up the mountain. They were climbing for a long while and that's when AJ started to shiver. Knuckles took noticed and turned to her.
"Hey are you okay?" He asked her as she caught up to him. AJ just shook the shiver off and looked at him.
"Y-Yeah Knuckles. I'm as toasty as a desert. Come on let's keep climbing." She said as she continued her climbing, by leaving Knuckles in bewilderment. He was staring at her for some time, before he went after her.
After another half an hour, the two were at an altitude of three thousand meters above the ground. Snow clouds already got them, and ominously risen over the mountain, where Knuckles and AJ continued their ascent. The air temperature began to fall lower and lower and here more Applejack could not hold on. Her trembling was not more discreet, and now has been more than evident. Knuckles, who was ahead, looked at her back from time to time to make sure that with his girlfriend was all right. At this time, when he looked back, he saw Applejack hugged herself, and strongly rubbed shoulders to keep warm. Knuckles sighed, and then went back to her.
Applejack could no longer hide that she was cold. Her teeth were chattering loudly, and she shivered. At this point, Knuckles came close to her and hugged her to warm her in any way else. Applejack didn't resist, and buried herself even into his arms.
"Kn-nuxie… s-s-s-s-shhh-shhhugar-cube…" She managed to mutter. Knuckles sighed before lifted her up, and then looked at her face, "It seems that it's time to end our trip." He said worryingly. Applejack looked into his eyes and nodded.
"I agree." She said. Knuckles grinned at her before he began his journey in the opposite direction, towards Ponyville, "Still, you're not made for the mountain cold." He stated, "When we go down to the place where we camped, I rub you by your grandmother's salve." He then wiggled his eyebrows, prompting Applejack to giggle. She then rested her head on his shoulder, continuing to smile at him with a sweet and gentle smile on her face. Knuckles winked at her, and then he looked forward to watch the road, but then trouble. A huge snowstorm began to rage from down to up, thus blocking their way down. Knuckles stopped, and then made his eyes wide, seeing as the snowstorm begins, and the snowflakes are flying in their direction. He then frowned and turned his back to the storm. He again began to climb the mountain, still holding Applejack in his arms.
When they reached the mountains, he saw a small cave that looked quite comfortable for the two of them. He went there with a quick step, feeling the snowstorm becomes stronger.
"Come on AJ in here." He said as he quickened his steps. The two then entered the cave and Knuckles set AJ down and took a look outside. Through his experience on Angel island he could handle any weather even snowstorms. AJ however was shivering like crazy. She curled up, clutching at her feet, and trying to keep warm. Knuckles turned to her and took his jacket off and tossed it to her.
"Put it on. It should help keep you warm." He said. AJ looked at him.
"B-b-b-but what about you s-s-s-s-s-sugarc-c-c-ccube?" She asked as she huddled into the jacket. Knuckles smirked.
"I'm fine I've been through way worse than this believe me. You on the other hand, your not use to this weather." He said. He then sits down in front of AJ. A time past, but Knuckles looked at AJ and could see she was shivering like it was -50 degrees he then goes over to her and sits right beside her. AJ takes this as a sign and cuddles up with him to warm up while Knuckles held his girl as close to her as possible and transfer his heat to hers. AJ looked up at Knuckles and the two smiled at each other as they cuddled. At one point Knuckles looked deeper into the cave and then spoke.
"I'm going to go down further to see if I can find anything to make a fireplace for us okay?" He said. AJ looked worried.
"Bbbbut Knuckles. You don't know what'sssss down there." She said, but Knuckles just smirked.
"Since when has the unknown ever stopped me?" He asked with voice having a proud tone. But Applejack just frowned at him back as se wasn't appreciate his boasting. Knuckles then sighed and leaned on one knee beside her. He then hugged her around the shoulders.
"I promise I won't be long. Count on it." He said before he took out a sleeping bag and gave it to her, "Here. Wrap yourself up in it. It will be warmer.", AJ nodded as he let her go and went inside the cave. Applejack was watching him go with a worrying look on her face, before she wrapped in a sleeping bag.
Knuckles then proceed into the cave. As he went in he looked around the cave when he found himself having trouble to adjusting to the darkness. With every next step he made, the light grew dimmer. Until he was in full darkness. As he was walking he squinted his eyes.
"Sigh I need to hurry and find something cause it is so dark. Oh wait a minute." He said before he pulled out his flashlight. He then turned it on to see where he was now. He then found himself in a huge cavern way from where he was. In it there were three tunnels. As Knuckles looked at them he then knew what he needed to do. He grabbed a rock and made an x mark on the tunnel he was entering so he wouldn't get lost. After that he decides to move on deeper into the cave and entered the tunnel by lighting his way with a flashlight. He continued to look around carefully, by hoping to find at least some wooden branches to build a fire, but on the floor there was nothing but water, or stones. He then sighed in annoyance and raised his eyes to look forward. Suddenly he stops when he saw where the tuned leads and lifted his eyebrow thoughtfully. He saw how the tunnel ends and goes into darkness, which is similar to the open space. Frowning, Knuckles went there, hoping that he will find there anything.
When he came out of the tunnel, he found himself in a huge cave where he heard the noise of a foothill river that flows like a waterfall from the top. Knuckles made his eyes wide. He saw something similar at home on Angel Island, but not at such a high altitude. Waterfall flowed in piedmont river that flowed down the cave. He then went to river tunnel, where the river flowed and shone his flashlight in there. He just saw the water running down the tunnel, and nothing special.
That's when, something hissed behind him. Knuckles felt a shiver ran through his body. He flinched sharply and then turned around in the hope to see what it was. But besides an empty cave he saw nothing. He then frowned, thinking it was his girl plays pranks.
"Applejack!" He called loudly, "If you have decided to play a trick on me so it was not funny!" He then made his eyes wide, "You scared me to death." He then looked left inadvertently where he saw some strange drawings. He arched his eyebrows thoughtfully, and then lit the lamp wall, and gasped in fright when he saw the pictures on the rock. He realized that they needed to get out of here, and began to walk toward the exit.
"Applejack, let's get out of here!" He said scared. However, immediately he stopped when he heard some low bass echo raced on the rock walls. Knuckles felt his hair stood on end. This terrifying noise came from somewhere in the distance, but for some reason, Knuckles thought that there was something around here and watch him. Only now he realized that it was not his girlfriend, so he quickly scanned the cave, lighting it with his flashlight to find out who it was. He then frowned and got into a fighting stance to fight off a possible attack.
That's when something hit him from the darkness, and knocked him down. Knuckles fell to the ground, dropping his flashlight, and groaned in pain. Whatever it was, it was a strong blow. Then he felt something grab his leg and dragged him deep into the cave. He didn't react in time, so he just screamed loudly as his screams echoed across the cave.
Meanwhile, Applejack who was near the exit, funky gasped when she heard the cries of Knuckles, and then she jumped to her feet, and looked into the cave. She got scared when she heard how her boyfriend screaming somewhere inside the cave, and then she grabbed her flashlight and hook. She turned on the flashlight and ran quickly into the cave to help her beloved man.
She quickly ran into the junction with tunnels, and stopped by starting to wonder where Knuckles went. But seeing the X mark on one of the tunnels, she quickly ran there.
"Knuckles, hold on!" She shouted, "I'm coming!"
Applejack quickly ran to the end of the tunnel and was in a huge cave with an underground river. She stopped and then she started to explore the cave, hoping to see Knuckles.
"Knuckles!" She called him, "Knuckles, answer me, please ..."
No answer. Only the noise of running water interrupted the dead silence in this cave. Applejack ran to the tunnel, where the water trickled down, and looked there.
"Knuckles!" She called him, but he didn't answer her back. Applejack knew something was wrong. She knew Knuckles too well, and I knew that he would never joke with her, if she was feeling herself bad. She then looked cave again. Suddenly, she gasped when she saw his flashlight lying on the ground. She ran to the flashlight, but only to gasp deeper as she saw a traces of blood beside the flashlight. Her face bacame depressive sad when she realized that she might lose him, and then she again began to panic and scanned the cave one more time, by panting heavily. Tears began to fill her eyes when she thought of the worst.
"Knuxie. Where are you?" Through her whimpering she begged him to come to her and they could return home. Unfortunately, he didn't respond to her pleas. Applejack then turned to the wall, and lit it with her flashlight. She arched her eyebrows when she saw the rock paintings. The terror filled the heart of the young cowgirl, when she saw the creepy pictures of black monster with white eyes without pupils, and numerous warning drawings. These drawings can only be described with the phrase: "Don't go here!". Applejack felt even scarier when she saw those warning signs and froze. But a second later, she heard something hissed directly behind her, and this something that was literally a few steps behind.
This was the limit of terror for Applejack. It was the first time she was really scared and there was nothing she could do to save herself. She slowly began to turn around to see what it was. But when she turned around, she let out a loud bloodcurdling horror scream and dropped the flashlight. The flashlight fell onto the ground and shattered. The darkness returned.
BHG: Oh, jeez…
NSH: Well this is certainly not going to end well. Anyways guys thanks for reading so in case you haven't figured it out yet by the last three parts yes we are doing more chapters featuring the others. It's just too boring focusing on one set of characters.
BHG: Yeah, I know that some of you are not really like this setting, but lets give a chance to the rest of the characters. They're awesome too and need more love as well. It's not only Sonic and Twilight story. Its called The Many Adventures Of Equestria. So it means that the other characters in the main focus as well.
NSH: Exactly. So anyways thx again for reading. Once again if you have an idea for what story you would like to see next in this series let us know. As always R.F.F and yeah that's basically it. Oh one more thing TOG is still helping he's just having trouble with his schedule so bare with us okay. So until next time this is BHG and NSH signing off.
BHG: Stay in POWEEEEEEEER, bros!