Everyone retook his or her places around Pinkie´s laptop as the pink girl clicked play to start the new episode.
"In the last episode: I met this super funny looking dragon guy called Discord, who offered me a DVD filled with Twilight´s adventures, which made me really happy because I was really sad about not being able to visit Twilight in her magical pony land but now I can be really happy cause I will be able to learn more about Twilight and see what her home is like. Anyway I put on the movie, accidentally trapping the whole class inside the cafeteria, oppsy! And learned about how Twilight before meeting us was like this super grumpy pony who always wanted to read books and not go to parties, which is really dumb…I mean who wouldn't want to go to a party? But anyway then the pony version of the principal, who is also a princess in this world told Twilight to stop being a grumpy pony and make friends so she sent her to this little cozy town called Ponyville where she met pony Applejack, Pony Rainbow Dash, Pony Rarity who Spike, who is actually a cute looking dragon in this world, fell in love with; Pony Fluttershy, who is like super cute and we all want to hold her and protect her, and finally Pony me! And Pony me was like supper exited to meet Twilight and made her a super-supper welcoming party in her new home that is a tree that is also a library, but Twilight was still a grumpy pony and I was like: that's really sad why would Twilight wanted to be a grumpy pony instead of having fun in a party? But then it turns out the reason why Twilight was grumpy all the time was because she found out that the evil sister of princess principal Celestia was suppose to return that night and do evil things…you know I understand that, I mean the vice-principal can be quite a grumpy woman herself and really is scary and leave a lot of extra homework as punishment and her detentions are the worst, I mean stay sit on one place for like eternity? Booooooring! I can see why Twilight was so worry. But was is more it seems no one knew about this not even princess principal Celestia since they still continued with the all night party to celebrate something about the sun. But then what Twilight was worry about did happen and now evil pony vice-principal Luna seems to have kidnapped princess principal Celestia and go all: hahaha I'm an evil pony and I'm going to do evil stuff fear me! And we all were like: ahhhh she is scary… what will pony Twilight will do to stop this mean looking pony vice principal Luna?! Well that's what we are going to find out next"
Everyone blinked at the pink girl.
"Ehhh Pinkie pie? What was that?" asked Sunset in confusion.
"The recap of coarse silly" said Pinkie pie with a smile "how else would we remember what happened last episode?"
"Pinkie pie" started Rainbow Dash "you do realize that we are about to continuing watching the same thing we passed the last 30 min watching this right?"
" Yeah but it was so good that it feels like months had passed" answered the pink girl before acquiring a thinking face. "You know, I think that's the reason why they decided to pass the premiers like this instead of one episode each weekend. If not fans would probably riot on the streets"
"Wait what? They?!" asked Rainbow.
"Can we continue please?!" cried Trixie "I can barely put up with this for 30 min and I don't need you to expend that time with your silly talking!"
"Rude but on point" called Vice principal Luna "please continue miss Pie" then said in a whisper "and I'm NOT grumpy" she pouted.
"hehehehe" Celestia giggled having heard that and tried, miserably, to hide her smirk when her sister glared at her.
Nightmare a Moon´s laughed in delight as everypony looked at her in fear and worry.
The dark mare crackled in an almost crazy way while lighting flashed out of her ethereal mane. The echo of the thunder added to her evil image.
Fluttershy immediately yelped and covered behind Rainbow Dash.
Rarity took hold of Applejack´s arm as the country girl tried to calm her down.
The CMC hugged together and moved behind Big Mac who, alongside Granny smith narrowed his eyes to the screen.
Bulk Biceps took hold of the closer thing he had to use as a shield, which turned out to be Trixie again. Who let out a cry of indignation as she struggled to escape his grip.
Bon Bon gulped and sweated a bit at the image of the dark mare. Although had to took hold of Lira's shoulders to make sure to keep the minty girl from bouncing of excitement at seeing the magical display (sure it was an evil mare but in the mind of the unicorn/magic lover it was quite badass to see and she loved it second of finally seeing REAL unicorns)
Celestia and Luna both looked a bit uncomfortable at the screen. The principal trying to understand how is that such a creature could be her sister; yeah she wasn't exactly miss sunshine but from that to look like a cartoon villain?
On her part vice principal Luna was trying to see how is that that evil unicorn could be her. Sure she understood that it was a different world and all that. However she had noticed that each of her student´s counterparts had some similarities with them, either being hair colors and styles, eyes, freckles, voice tone and even personality…yet this Nightmare Moon didn't looked much like her (or at least she didn't saw the similitude)…if anything it looked more like the avatar of her online role game, only with different name.
Sunset also was having troubles to process what she was seeing.
"Ugg I still cant believe she is real" the red head moaned as she massage her nose bridge, feeling her a migraine growing "I mean...how its that uggg!"
"You ok there Sunset?" asked Rainbow Dash "you are not going to go bananas on us again do you?"
The girl took a deep breath trying to calm herself. Celestia decided to move closer and caress the girl´s back in support.
This action was appreciate, if the smile Sunset gave her was an indication, before the red head turned to her friend.
"Yeah…I…I think will be fine" she said before turned to the older woman "thanks princes…principal! Ehem thanks principal Celestia" she added nervously before giving a step away from the rainbow haired woman.
"You sure Sunset?" Celesta asked, wondering why her student looked more nervous than stressed as before. Yet she knew this wasn't the time to ask her.
"Yeah…yeah..." Sunset took a deep breath "I'm still a bit overwhelmed for this" she chuckled "Nightmare Moon being real all that…its just uggg" Sunset groaned again "the fact that old filly story is truth…what's next?! The Headless horse being real? The Pony of shadows? Rockhoof "the strong"? The Windigos?! Lord Grogar? !" She screamed at the end and took a lot of breaths inside a paper bag that Pinkie passed her from…somewhere.
Everyone blinked.
"The headless horse?" asked confused Rainbow Dash with an "are you serious" tone.
"Lord who?" Applejack.
"Rock…Hoof?" Lyra blinked imaging a pony made of stones.
"Pony of shadows? Is that another race of ponies?" asked Bon Bon.
" Can we just continue and ask questions when we can leave?!" yelled an angry Trixie "And you! let go the great and powerful Trixie this instant you brute!" she huffed at a blushing Bulk Biceps who finally let her go.
"Yeah…I think we should" said Sunset indicating Pinkie to continue.
The Ponyville leader was the first one out of her shock.
"Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!" Mayor Mare cried at the Pegasus guards who immediately flew against the dark mare.
"Oh yeah you going down Nightmare" said Rainbow exited by the prospect of a fight.
She wasn't the only one as some of her fellow athletes also were looking in excitement for some action
However the Alicorn wasn't going to let herself being caught that easily.
"Stand back, you foals!" Nightmare´s eyes glowed white as her mane produced more lightning that hurled the trio of guards backwards; Laughing before wrapping her mane and tail around herself and vanish in a wisp of blue/violet mist that made a beeline for the open front door, snaking through the panicked crowd and the dazed guards.
"Yikes" Lyra said seeing the Nightmare disposing of the guards so easily "that do is some power"
"Oh Come on! They are suppose to be soldiers and yet they were taken out like that?" Rainbow said disappointed about the lack of action.
"They are soldiers yeah but I don't think any of them are trained to take on a full powered Alicorn" said Sunset knowing the power that Celestia had so it was obvious, for her, that her sister would also be powerful.
"More considering this one was suppose to not exist" said Bon Bon "she had the surprise factor on her side"
"Agree, no one would be ready for something like that" added Micro ships "even all of us were taken by surprise by this now imagine being in the place of those ponies"
"Well you could said she really made a… shocking first impression" said Pinkie with the sound of a drum being heard.
Everyone just stared at her…again.
"Pinkie pie darling…just…no" said Rarity in tire tone.
Meanwhile Applejack, who has kept her teeth locked on Rainbow Dash's tail since the Nightmare appeared, finally lost hold of the Technicolor flyer, which charged after the dark horse.
"COME BACK HERE!" Rainbow yelled flying out the pavilion into the night.
"Oh yeah go other me, teach that horse a lesson and show those guards how its done!" the rainbow gal said liking the idea of seeing her pony self in action.
"More like we will see what happen if a lightning hits a rainbow" said Trixie in mocking tone wondering if they would see that pony version of the rainbow haired tomboy being shocked by lightning too.
"Ok that's it!" said Rainbow in anger "you want to start something Trixie?! Lets go" she added trying to approach the girl only to be stopped by Applejack
" Calm your horses Rainbow" she said trying to keep her friend from doing something rash.
"Miss Dash you better calm down or you will get detention for the rest of the week" called vice principal Luna" same to you Miss Lulamoon. Stop antagonizing your classmates like that"
The magician girl huffed away (knowing quite well to not cross the blue woman)
"Trixie´s rudeness aside…" started Rarity.
"Hey!"
"…I don't think it's a good idea for your pony-self to get close to that, and excuse for saying this vice principal, that monster!"
"Don't worry miss Rarity and I agree with you" said the vice principal "that Nightmare is not something I would like any of you close too"
"Oh come on!" pouted the rainbow haired girl "you saw how awesome pony me is, I bet she could take her"
"She literally blasted three trained military ponies in one move" said Bon Bon "and, for what we know, your other self is as civilian as any of us so I don't think she has better chances"
"And what do you want her to do?" asked Rainbow "tell her to stay put while that crazy horse brings eternal night?"
"The best option here is that and hope the military of Equestria can take care of this threat" answered Bon Bon.
"Low chances of that happen" said Microchips fixing his glasses "for what we got last episode no one knew this would happen and if I understood Sunset Shimmer correctly the power of an Alicorn is higher that any of the normal folk. Add that to the fact the leader of the land is missing and/or kidnapped by said threat and we don't have a good looking panorama"
Sunset (and everyone else) did wonder about this. How could the Equestrian forces, or anyone for that matter, fight against the Nightmare when even the princess was missing?
"Not exactly" said Flash "there is one per-ehhh pony that knew about this" he added with a smile looking at the screen "and if someone can find an answer to this problem is her"
Unfortunately for Rainbow, the Nightmare was just too quick and had already a big head start. Resulting in the Pegasus only finding a lonely and dark town in front of her.
" Nighttime…forever?" the Pegasus dreaded the words of the nightmare. However the sound of hoofbeats from ground level called her attention making her spot Twilight, with a fainted Spike on her back, galloping out at great speed with a decisive look on her face.
" Where's she going?"
"To get answers and fix things" said Flash Sentry with a smile.
Unseen to him, Sunset, Derpy, Rarity and Applejack shared a giggle seeing the loving look on his eyes.
Rainbow and Trixie both rolled their eyes finding him to be too cheesy for their liking
Back in the library the little dragon found himself asleep in a basket, from where he came to with a start after a few seconds.
"We gotta stop Nightmare!" he yelled half-dazed before falling back to sleep again.
"You've been up all night, Spike" Twilight said softly as she put a blanket over the sleeping dragon " You are a baby dragon, after all" she added before turning away and turning off the light as she exited the room.
Even with the situation at had, Fluttershy (and a good number of girls in the audience) couldn't help but coo at the small "motherly" moment between Twilight and Spike.
"Ok that's cute and all but I must ask" said Cherry Crash tuening to Sunset "I didn't caught it the first time but is Spike really a baby?"
"A baby dragon yeah" answered Sunset.
"But he can talk and walk and not really act like a baby" asked back the rocker girl.
"True but he is a dragon" said Sunset "dragons tend to live hundreds of years" she explained at seeing the confusion of her fellow classmate "And for what I can tell Spike its just a decade or so old, so while he looks old for use for his species he is still on early stages of life"
"Oh like dog years" added Fluttershy.
"Yeah but in reverse" added Sandalwood "in dog years dogs are older while in human years they are younger. Spike is old in human years but young in dragon years"
"That...actually would explain a couple of things" said Sunset thinking about her first meeting with Spike.
Not even a second after, a commotion shook the entire room for a moment.
In the fully lit reading room, books were scattered all over the floor and being flung around while a frustrated unicorn ran around checking books left and right.
"Elements, Elements, Elements…" Twilight cried in stress and frustration levitating book after book only letting them fall when she noticed they didn't held the info she needed. " How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?!"
"Oh yeah the elements of harmony" said Apple Bloom "she mentioned those at the start and how pony principal use them to beat her sister"
"If Nightmare Moon is real then maybe the elements are too" added Sweetie Belle "Then only she need to find them and use them to beat her again"
"HA HA now we talking" said Lyra exited "we now have all the elements for an epic magical adventure, an ancient magical evil, the hero trying to stop it, the magical McGuffin that is the answer to fix the problem. All we need is the hero party that will help her in the adventure"
"Lyra this isn't one of your RPG games" said Bon Bon "do you think a group of ponies with specific abilities will walk in and just join her into looking for something out a story book?"
In that moment Rainbow Dash flew straight into her face with an angry expression.
Lyra looked at Bon Bon with a smug expression.
"That doesn't count" said Bon Bon.
"I don't know" said Lyra with a smile in her face "I think we have an assassin now"
"Assassin?" asked Rainbow confused.
"Well Twilight is obviously a mage" answered the minty girl "and your pony self had prove to prefer speed and agility…if she can be sneaky and quiet she will be a nice assassin for the party"
Everyone blinked at her.
Rainbow was about to said something only to be stopped by Applejack snickering.
"HA Rainbow? Sneaky and quiet?" hahaha yeah fat chance" laughed the country girl.
RD was about to protest but another voice cut in.
"She has a point" added Microchips "Dash is as careful and quiet as a bull in a china store" he thought for a moment "ummm maybe she could be a simple warrior?"
"Simple?!" Rainbow said feeling offended.
"I don't know how about a paladin?" said Norman.
"The noble and righteous warrior? You know that Rainbow use like 80% of her time in bragging about herself right?"
"Since when a paladin can't brag?" asked back the beanie-wearing boy.
"Holy warriors should show humility or it would be against the whole religious theme"
"That's quite old thinking there" Norman said back.
"I don't know he might have a point" surprising to everyone this time vice principal Luna was the one who talked. "Knowing miss Dash I think the Barbarian class would fit her better" she said with a small smile at the end.
However before anyone, especially Rainbow, could said another thing.
"NO ONE CARE ABOUT YOUR STUPID GAMES NERDS!" Trixie called really frustrated at the conversation "SO SHUT UP AND LET US CONTINUE SO WE CAN FINISH THIS QUICKLY AND LEAVE!"
Silence fell on the cafeteria.
"Miss Lulamoon" vice principal Luna said in slow, gelid tone that made the magician girl gulp realizing WHO she just told to shut up.
"Ehhhhh can we continue?" she begged to Pinkie Pie while trying (and failing) to ignore the killing stare the blue haired woman was giving her "please?"
The pink haired girl just put play, mentally wondering what "type" she would be…uhhh maybe the spy!
Meanwhile the principal was trying to convince her sister that rude talking to her wasn't deserving of "cleaning all the toilets with a toothbrush from then to graduation" as punishment.
"And just what ARE the Elements of Harmony?" Rainbow yelled angrily making Twilight slowly backing up "And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy? Whoa!
Before she could continue her "interrogation", her tail was yanked back hard by Applejack.
"Simmer down, Sally" the country mare tred to calm down he Pegasus while Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy also came in. "She ain't no spy." All five moved closer to the purple unicorn. "But she sure knows what's goin' on...don't you, Twilight?"
"She probably is the only one that knows what's going on" said Flash sentry.
"Ugg don't remind me" grunted Sunset Shimmer "I still have troubles believing that princess Celestia would hide something like this for anyone"
"My sister is really good keeping secrets, even when someone knows she is hiding something they usually cant find out what" said Luna making Celestia look a big smug "although half the time she only pretend to have a secret just to pretend to be interesting and gain attention" she ended with a joking smile.
"Hey!" Celestia called out.
Sunset giggled at this allowing herself to not feel stressed about this...for now
The new pony in town turned this over for a second and then dropped her gaze.
"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon" began Twilight "Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her" the purple unicorn explained looking out a window at the moon "But I don't know what they are, where to find them. I don't even know what they do!"
In that moment Pinkie´s voice was heard from a close by bookshelf
"The Elements of Harmony. A Reference Guide."
Not a second after the pink pony was plowed aside by a shocked Twilight.
"How did you find that?!" the unicorn asked/demanded.
"It was under "E"!" Pinkie singsonged, hopping happily across room.
"Oh." Twilight felt a bit embarrassed about that
"Ha, and she is suppose to be smart?" mocked Trixie much to the ire of the Rainbooms
"In her defense the world-ending-event she was worry about just turn to be real and very well on its way" said miss Cheerilee "and she seems to be under a lot of pressure because of that. And that can make you lose sight of even the most obvious things" she talked from experience having seen students almost turn upside down the library trying to search for a book…mostly when they decided to leave things to the last moment.
"Plus I think she is doing a better job that you would" said Applejack in her friend´s defense.
Trixie just tched and cross arms ignoring the girl.
"What I'm surprised it's the fact a library in Ponyville have a book that couldn't have found in a library in Canterlot" said Sunset scratching her head.
"Well sometimes you can find something interesting in the less possible places" said Principal Celestia "all you need to do is look out"
"Are you quoting animated movies again to try and act all philosophic?" asked Luna raising an eyebrow making her sister cough and look away.
"Still it's quite the coincidence…" Bon Bon trialed up as she thought about this.
"You don't think the pony principal sent Twilight there knowing about the book, right?" asked Lyra.
"It cant be" said Sunset "that would mean she know Twilight will need that book and that would mean…"
"That she knew about the return of Nightmare moon so she do had a plan to deal about it and said plan involves Twilight in some way" said Microchips "although sounds all circumstantial there are still some minimal evidences to this"
Some students began thinking about this, whit some nodding in agreement.
"But…but…" Sunset´s mind short circuit for a moment "aggg all this makes Celestia sounds like some sort of plotting mastermind and is giving me a headache" she rubbed her head.
"Such mystery...such drama…I approve!" Photo Finish declared.
"This do could be a nice play for our club" Drama Letter said with the rest of the drama club approving of the green haired girl´s idea.
"Lets hope this play has a happy ending" Sunset said, signaling Pinkie to continue.
Twilight levitated the book to the middle of the room and flipped pages. The binding of this one was red, with gold bands on the spine and a matching unicorn head on the cover, surrounded by six diamonds.
"There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known" Twilight started "Kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, and loyalty." She read while Fluttershy, Pinkie pie, Applejack and Rarity paid attention to her words.
"squeeeeeeeeeeeellllll!"
Everyone turned to the squealing Pinkie pie, who had the biggest smile ever in her face.
"Sorry I just loved the foreshadowing" the pink girl said.
"Foreshadowing? What foreshadowing?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Sorry no spoilers" answered back Pinkie Pie winking at her friend.
"Wait I click" Applejack said "Kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty…aren't those ummmph?!" suddenly her mouth was covered by Pinkie´s hands.
"I said not spoilers!" the girl yelled on her face.
As she continued, from outside the library window, Nightmare's vapor form paused as if listening in.
"Well whatever pinkie said seems the nightmare will know" said Lyra.
"I thought she left to…I don't know...take the throne or something" said Flash a bit confused about the Nightmare´s presence outside the library.
"Umm in normal circumstances she would but…" Bon Bon said thinking over "the fact that Twilight knew who she was could have put that on hold" continue the girl "after all we do have established that her return was not known by anyone. She probably want to know how much Twilight knows"
"Well now she knows that Twilight knows about the elements" said Cherry Crash.
"Which means she will try to stop Twilight from getting them" continue Mystery Mint.
"A logical step to make sure no one will be able to stop her" finished Microchips.
The Rainbooms looked worry knowing that her friend´s mission could get more complicated if the Nightmare knew what she was looking for.
"The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said the last known location of the five Elements was in the ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters."
"Wait…the castle of the royal pony sisters!?" cried Sunset
"You know that place sugar cube?" asked Applejack.
"Not in person but have read about them" said Sunset "it's a ruin from old times, however the worrying thing is where its located"
"I don't like where this is going" said Fluttershy in meek tone.
"It is located in what is now…" Twilight/Sunset shuddered
"…The Everfree Forest?!" everyone cried when they found themselves in front a road leading into a very large, very overgrown, and very foreboding wilderness.
"uhhh nice echo" said Pinkie to the camera "also…jinx!" she finished with a giggle.
"Wait, Everfree? You have an Everfree too?" asked principal Celestia.
"Too? There is an Ever-free forest here?" asked Velvet Sky
"Well not a forest…ummm although I suppose it could be called that too" said the principal.
"It's a summer camp that is some miles from the city" continue vice principal Luna "my sister and I used to go there when we were younger.
"It's a wonderful place where both Luna and I made a lot of great memories" Celestia continued with a smile shared by her sister.
"Although for your expression miss Shimmer, I don't think your Everfree is as good as ours" said vice principal Luna to the red head student.
"I don't know about your camp but…" said Sunset "Everfree is a wild zone in Equestria, well the only wild zone for what I know" she added thinking a bit.
"Wild zone?" asked Rainbow Dash
"No pony control anything in there" answered the red head "as I said pegasi control the weather, earth ponies can grow food and unicorn magic have multiple uses" explained the ex-unicorn seeing the confuse look of her classmates "However, the weather of Everfree is, like its name imply, free from pegasi control meaning it acts on itself, also plants and trees grow by its own in wild manner without the need of earth ponies"
Everyone looked a bit confused at this.
"But, that sounds just like that place is…well…normal?" said Lyra finding herself a bit disappointed at the forest "kind of like any place on Earth"
Sunset chuckled at this.
"Hehehe yeah I will admit I freak out a little when I start learning about earth" said Sunset "specially about your sun moving on its own" she looked confused before shaking her head "but that's where the similitudes end" she gained a serious look "the other problem are the monsters"
"Monsters!" asked a now exited Lyra, Norman, Rainbow Dash and a nervous Fluttershy.
"Everfree is filled with all sort of dangerous creatures. And for what I know none are pony friendly" she said with a grimace.
Worry came back to everyone as they wondered what kind of creatures could live there and hoped that Twilight and her friends don't come across any of them.
The group of ponies stood there looking at the forest entrance with silent trepidation for a long moment tense moment…
"Whee! Let's go!"
…That was broken by Pinkie´s cheerful voice as she began trotting ahead.
"Not so fast!" Twilight said Stoping the pink ponie in her tracks. "Look. I appreciate the offer. But I'd really rather do this on my own."
"No can do, sugar cube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone." Said Applejack with a firm tone, with Twilight flinching a bit on the "friend" part.
"I agree with my counterpart sugar cube" said Applejack "there is no way I will leave any friend doing something so dangerous alone.
"You said it Applejack" agreed Rainbow Dash giving her friend a fist bump.
"Still, I don't think Twilight is still comfortable calling your pony-selves friends" said Bon Bon.
"tch they just met that day and Twilight exchanged few words with them" said Trixie "How can they think of her as a friend even less risk entering a place that obviously no one in its right mind would enter on its own will?"
"That might be but if my counterpart is something like me, then she knew that Twilight was someone special from the moment they met" said Applejack remembering her meeting with the pony princess. Although she was a bit off at the beginning the country girl could tell there was something she liked about the purple girl and she could tell being close to her could be a nice experience…and boy what experience it end up being.
"Agree that gal had courage and a good heart" said Rainbow Dash.
"She was kind and helpful" said Fluttershy with a small smile.
"She was really, really fun to be with" added Pinkie Pie.
"A kind soul with a nice fashion sense" said Rarity.
"She really was special" Flash sentry added in low tone (that still was heard by close by students causing a couple of giggles) and a love-filled smile in his face.
"A princess through and trough" finished Sunset with a grateful expression.
A lot of students nodded and agreed with the Rainbooms
Trixie gagged and regretted asking.
"We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple." Finished the country pony with herself, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow trotting ahead.
"Mmm-hmm!" Fluttershy, Rainbow and Rarity agreed.
"Especially if there's candy apples in there!" added a hopful Pinkie gaining another funny look from Twilight "What? Those things are good!" she headed in.
The young crusader found herself alone, with the other five already on their way into the forest. She sighed resignedly and starts in after them.
No long after...or maybe it was? After all night still was in full swing and the dark trees around them didn't allowed much light. Either way time after the 6 ponies found themselves over a cliff looking over the deep forest
" So…" Twilight started breaking the silence none of you have been in here before?
"Heavens, no!" Rarity answered shuddering in fear/discomfort "Just look at it. It's dreadful!"
"And it ain't natural." Applejack added also showing her reluctance of being there.
"I don't know, for now it looks like a normal forest...only dark because, you know, night" Sandalwood said.
"Yeah I get it…believe me now it looks normal" said Sunset with finger quotes. "But I read enough of that place to know it isn't"
Past the edge of the cliff on which they were walking, Nightmare's mist swirled into view and permeated the exposed rock face.
"And lets not forget they have THAT to worry about!" Said Sunset seeing the nightmare mist.
"What if she trying to do?" wondered Rainbow seeing the mist introduce itself inside the cliff face.
"Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria" Applejack continued.
" What's that supposed to mean?" asked Twilight.
"Nopony knows." Rainbow said ominously, emerging from shadow "You know why?"
"Rainbow, quit it!" Applejack/ Applejack said in scolding tone
"uhh Jinx twice" Called Pinkie pie.
"Ahh come on Applejack, she isn't doing anything bad" said the rainbow haired girl "its just some fun"
"I don't think scaring the others while being in a dark dangerous forest, WHILE there is an evil horse trying to take over the world, WHILE trying to find the only thing that can stop it before said evil horse caught up to them is a way to have fun" the country gal blinked a couple of time "and I can not believe I just said all that with a straight face"
"Just to show how the past..ehem…Experiences have change us" said Vice principal Luna "still miss Apple is right miss Dash...this isn't a moment to be playing around.
"Come on" whined Rainbow Dash "what's the worst that could happen?"
The rainbow mane Pegasus advanced slowly in a predatory like way until she was face to face with Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity.
"Cause everypony who's ever come in has never…come…out!" Rainbow leaped up menacingly on the last word. However in that moment the edge of the cliff crumbled away and took all four non-winged ponies screaming with it.
"I TAKE IT BACK" Rainbow cried in surprise.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" Fluttershy exclaimed in worry.
"Quickly flying ponies do something!" Yelled Lyra.
"Fluttershy! Quick!" Rainbow cried and dived in less that a second.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" Fluttershy exclaimed following her friend.
As the others kept going down with the rockslide, Rainbow hoisted Pinkie clear and Fluttershy snaped her teeth onto Rarity's tail to put on the brakes. Applejack stopped herself by biting down on an exposed root, leaving Twilight alone to skid toward the edge of a very long drop. She winded up with her hind legs dangling over the precipice.
"TWILIGHT!" everyone cried.
"Oh no, oh no, oh nonononono" Fluttershy looked ready to faint.
"Hand in there!" cried Flash in worry.
Sunset and Celestia looked in worry at the screen seeing the purple pony in the verge of falling down.
Luna also worry, some guilt sneaking through her as her pony counterpart caused this.
Applejack, sizing up the situation, let go of her root to slide down towards the unicorn.
" Hold on! I'm a-comin'!" the earth pony called, reaching the edge, and grabbing Twilight's forelegs in hers .
"Save her pony Applejack" cried Pinkie pie
"Be careful sister" Apple bloom cried in worry.
"Eeyup" Big mac´s eyes twitched.
"Please darling don't get hurt" Rarity added.
"Applejack! What do I do?" Twilight asked. Fear more than visible in her tone and eyes.
A Long, tense pause fell as Applejack squeezed one eye shut from the strain on her muscles; she aimed her open one skyward for a moment before turning both of them toward the hanging unicorn and just said two words.
" Let go."
Everyone paused for a moment, and then…
"WHAT?!" everyone exploded
" .CRAZY!" Rainbow Dash cried before grabbing her Applejack "Are you crazy!"
"Don't ask me I don't know what she is thinking" said Applejack with a somehow calm yet worry tone...what was her pony self thinking?
"Ha…wanting to kill the princess now?" mocked Trixie.
"Hey! You shut your trap" said AJ angry at Trixie "if I know something is that I wouldn't ask my friends something to hurt them and I'm more that sure my pony self wouldn't hurt someone she call her friend either!"
"Yeah you don't know what you talking about" said Rainbow in defense of her friend.
"Don't you dare speak pests about Applejack" said Rairty looking ready to jump at Trixie.
"Eeyup" Big Mac called glaring also at the magician.
"Oh yeah?" challenged Trixie "then why is she asking Twilight to let go and fall down a cliff eh?"
"There must be a reason of that we ALL are sure!" Rainbow cried ready to fight although she wasn't the only one.
Close by Flash Sentry looked ready to bolt to help Twilight, only to remember they were seeing a video, making him look powerless and trying to calm himself, although some talks around him did things hard.
"Betrayals like this should come until mid season or something" Lyra called.
"Lyra stop comparing this to those anime shows you watch" said Bon bon
"Well you didn't like it when I compare it to my DnD games" called back the mint haired girl.
"I cant see the logic behind pony Applejack´s words" said Microchips.
"Maybe we aren't seeing the big picture" added Sweet Leaf "maybe she is seeing things we cant"
"Seeing things? You think she is on drugs or what?" Scribble dee asked confused.
"I think she said pony Applejack know something neither we or Twilight are seeing" Mystery Mint added.
"I hope so because if not then she really wants Twilight to do splat in the floor" said Cherry Crash.
"My sister wouldn't want princess Twilight to make splat!" said Apple Bloom angry "you take that back!"
"Hey chill out little Apple I'm not saying anything" talked back the rocker girl. "But you have to admit things looks really messy here"
"She is right Apple Bloom" said Sweetie Belle "I'm not saying Applejack would hurt princess Twilight" she added seeing the angry look of her friend "but maybe we are missing something, so what if we continue and see what happen?" the girl proposed "after all we know this is before the princess came here so we know she survive this"
"Well said Sweetie Belle" said principal Celestia "lets all calm down students and lets continue to get answers"
She then signaled Pinkie Pie to press play
"Are you crazy?!" Twilight cried in disbelief and fear.
"That's what I said!" Rainbow cried only to be shushed by the others.
"No, I ain't. I promise you'll be safe. Applejack tried to calm the scared mare.
"That's not true!" Twilight cried in fear.
"Poor Twilight, she must be terrified" Fluttershy said with tears on her eyes.
"ummm" Flash Sentry closed her fist in anger for not being able to do something.
"I really hope you know what you doing Applejack" said Rainbow gulping and fighting the urge to eat her nails away.
"You and me both partner" said Applejack also hopping her pony counterpart had a plan.
"Now listen here." Applejack said in a firm yet kind tone that showed the most truthful honesty "What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe."
Everyone took a breath as they saw it was time for Twilight to take a decision.
Twilight's popping eyes betrayed the fight between her panicked brain and the instinct telling her to trust the pony that was holding her at the edge of oblivion.
More that one student was at the edge of his sit (or was busy eating their nails in nervousness).
Instinct finally wins this round, and she released her grip and plunged screaming over the side…
…Only to stop in midair with no warning.
Looking at her sides Twilight saw that Fluttershy and Rainbow had caught her.
"Phew" the purple unicorn let out a breath of relief.
Breath of relief that everyone at Canterlot High shared, especially the Rainbooms and Flash Sentry, who let himself relax in his chair.
A sudden weight shift caused her to nearly slip out of their grasp with a yell. Fortunately the pegasi managed to compensate for it and lowered her steadily to the ground
"Sorry, girls. I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two" Fluttershy apologized for the slip.
More that one person let out a small chuckle at this finding this small moment wash away some of the stress gained from the dangerous situation.
"Only you Fluttershy haha" laughed Rainbow making her friend blush.
"Personally I think we all deserve a good laugh after that stressful moment" added Rarity pulling out a pocket mirror "I swear I'm sure I will get white hairs because of it" she added in dramatic tone looking at her hair.
Meanwhile Apple Bloom couldn't help but cheer on her pony-sister.
"HA! I told you Applejack wouldn't hurt Twilight." The youngest Apple said with a smile.
"I never doubt it Apple Bloom but still I'm glad you were right" said Sweetie Belle
"Well seems that you were right too Minty" said Cherry crash to her friend who gave her a smile back.
"I will said I almost forgot about the flying ponies" said Microchips "earlier we got a sample of pony Rainbow Dash´s speed…breaking a lot of physical laws I must add…so should have be obvious that after saving the others both her and pony Fluttershy would then focus on helping Twilight" explained the boy " Pony Applejack probably saw them and that's why she told her that she would be fine"
"Then why don't she said so?!" cried Trixie as she fought again to release herself from Bulk Biceps´s grasp (Who grabbed her again in a moment of fright seeing Twilight fall) "why didn't she said like...hey I saw the featherbrains close by so stop being a coward horse since they will catch you, instead of almost giving everyone a heart attack!" she yelled at the end "and you let Trixie go!"
Rainbow Dash was about to yell back at the featherbrain comment but was interrupted.
"She… does have a point" Heat Burns said making everyone turn to him "I mean would be that hard to just tell Twilight that the ponies with wings would catch her?"
Everyone thought about it for a moment wondering why the weird word choice from the earth pony.
"Maybe…because there wasn't really that much time" sounded the voice of Flash Sentry. Everyone turned to the blue haired rocker who was playing with his guitar with a thoughtful expression "we are jus seeing this from our perspective and with time to think" he continue as he tuned his instrument "but in a moment like that there isn't really much time to said or think…only to act" he looked up "for one pony Applejack was already making a big effort to keep Twilight from falling and at the same time stop herself from falling with her. Personally I don't think losing more time trying to explain things would help neither of them on that moment"
Everyone thought about that trying to put their mind on THAT exact situation.
"And two, even if there was, I think telling Twilight about Rainbow and Fluttershy will catch her in midair could have just make her more scared that what she was in that moment" Flash continue explaining "Applejack´s word choice might be a bit weird, but she was just trying to calm down Twilight so she can help on her rescue on a better way. And her way to do so was just simply being honest and assure her that she would be fine at the end"
Some nodded to this explication, others still looked doubtful about it.
"Well said mister Sentry" said principal Celestia "and I think that even if we don't know what other Applejack had in mind, we can all agree that in the end she was only trying to assure Twilight she would be safe"
"aint that the truth" said Applejack "I couldn't never lie to my friends, even less when involve their safety"
With the Rainbooms nodding in agreement everyone decided to return to the movie.
"Lets hope that nothing like this happen again" whispered Celestia to Luna.
"If what miss Shimmer said about that forest is true I wont count on that" answered the vice principal back "I'm actually more worry that something like that happen here" she ended looking at the magical group.
"Lest just hope that doesn't happen" answered Celestial also with worry in her eyes.
Twilight didn't seem to be bothered for this as she focused on the cliff, where Applejack was leaping down from one protruding ledge to another almost imitating a mountain goat.
"Show off" said Rainbow Dash seeing Applejack leaping down the cliff.
"Hehe…jealous much?" the country girl called back with a smile on her face and a smug expression making the rainbow haired girl tch.
"As if…I bet both me and my pony self could do it way faster without a sweat" answered back Rainbow Dash.
"Ha as if" said Applejack with a smile "for what I'm seeing my pony self could run circles around your pony self and climb up that cliff eyes closed"
"Oh yeah!" yelled Rainbow getting close to Applejack "well I bet me and my pony self could climb up and down that cliff, eyes closed, and...Backwards!"
"Oh please! That's ridiculous" said Applejack rolling eyes.
"What? Scared?" said Rainbow now with a smug expression.
"Of you and her? You wish" said Applejack clashing foreheads with Rainbow Dash "we could take you two any place any time"
"After school in the mall" announced Rainbow Dash "I hear there is a new claiming wall, lets settle this"
" Good to me…prepare to lose"
Both girls growled at each other, while the rest of the Rainbooms only watch in the side lines with Pinkie pie looking excited, Sunset shaking her head with a tired expression that was mimic by Rarity and Fluttershy simply tried to look invisible.
"ummm should we…ummm" started Fluttershy.
"Lets just continue and let them steam it off" said Sunset "they cant get worse that this anyways"
Unnoticed by all, Nightmare whisked away from the scene and poured herself into the silhouette of a hulking creature some distance away; it sprout bat wings and lashed out with a scorpion tail as a lion-like head roars.
"Oh great now what did that horse did?" asked an annoyed Trixie "and you don't even think about it!" yelled at Bulk Biceps, who looked ready to take her in arms again.
"That sounded like a lion" said Sandalwood.
"A lion?" said Rainbow Dash breaking form her moment with Applejack "ok dangerous but other me and Fluttershy can fly, Applejack is quite strong, and both Rarity and Twilight have horns."
"Sounded like a lion" Added Sandalwood "but that shape was wrong…I think I saw wings there"
"And I think the tail looked more like a…"Scribble Dee fixed her glasses trying to see better the screen "I think is a scorpion´s tail"
"Umm Lion but that shape" Lyra thought over "wings…scorpion tail…why it sounds familiar?"
Sunset also thought about it trying to remember what creatures of Equestria fits that description.
Meanwhile Fluttershy´s head snapped up at the sound of the roar, but it wasn't in fear as one would thought but actually in worry.
Moments later the group continued walking through the forest, with Rainbow Dash flying over head making a…dramatic re-count of the previous events
"And once Pinkie and Rarity were safe…" Rainbow narrated flying close to Twilight "…whoosh! Me and Fluttershy looped the loop around, and wham!" she landed next to the unicorn "Caught you right in the nick of time. "
Twilight let out an irritated sigh.
"Yes, Rainbow, I was there" she said but with a small smile at the end "And I'm very grateful. But we gotta…"
She stopped with a gasp when a beast silhouette dropped into view in front of the group; revealing a creature with a lion body, bat wings and ears and a scorpion tail.
"A manticore!" Twilight cried in surprise as the creature roared at them.
"Yikes Manticore of coarse!" cried Sunset.
"I have read about them" said Lyra "Part lion with claws and fangs, part bat with wings to fly, and part scorpion with a poison tail!"
"Ok…maybe that do will be a problem" said Rainbow Dash.
"There isn't anything like that in your camp right principal Celestia?" asked blueberry cake with some fear on her tone.
"Of coarse not" said the principal "I assure you that there is nothing out of the ordinary in the camp" that seems to calm the girl (and everyone listening). Then the principal whispered on the ear of her sister "I will said, talking about the camp do makes me a bit nostalgic"
"Same...if this experience don't traumatize our students maybe we could plan taking them to the camp at some point" whispered back Luna.
The creature leaped at Rarity for a swipe of its paw, but she ducked and countered with a buck to its face that knocked it back.
"Take that, you ruffian!" Rarity said in firm tone.
No one talked or moved trying to process what they just saw.
"Did…did pony Rarity…just kicked a half lion-half scorpion monster…in the face?" asked Rainbow Dash "RARITY?!"
Everyone just nodded and looked at the named girl.
"Whoa…ok I'm, really impressed" said Applejack looking at Rarity who blushed under the attention.
"My sister just became like 20 no… like 50…No! Like 100% cooler" said Sweetie Belle looking at her sister as if she was some sort of superstar. "think you can teach me how to kick like that?
"Now, now Sweetie Belle, you know I'm not fan of violence" Rarity said in a lady-like tone "is not proper decorum of a lady act impulsive like that"
Its response…a full-volume roar directly into her face, leaving her mane a frizzed-out disaster
" My hair!" Rarity cried in despair.
"I WILL DESTROY IT!" roared Rarity before realizing everyone took a step away from her "ehem…I mean how dare that brute ruin such beautiful hair!"
A low growl made her cry a little and run in retreat passing by Fluttershy who was standing watching.
"Wait!" the pink haired Pegasus tried to call out.
"Uff poor Fluttershy...she must be scared out of her mind with this" said Rainbow Dash.
"Umm actually I don't think she is…" the named girl tried to talk only to be interrupted by a hug from Pinkie pie.
"Don't worry Fluttershy I'm sure your pony-you will be ok" she said in a calm tone.
"ummm thanks but…ummm I don't think there is nothing to worry about" said Fluttershy.
"You damn right" said Applejack "now is my…well other me turn" she said looking excited at the screen.
The Manticore gave chase but stopped suddenly due to Applejack having jumped onto its head.
"Yee-haa!" the earth pony said in excitement as the creature began bucking and struggling trying to shake the pony off her "Get along, little doggie!"
"Oh yeah get her sis!" Apple bloom yelled in excitement
"Nope!" said Big Mac clearly not likening the situation.
"Don't worry Bic Mac" said Applejack actually enjoying what was happening "my other me have that bronco well dominated"
On the sidelines, Fluttershy tried once again to call for their attention.
"Wait!"
Only to be ignored again as the Manticore gave one last good heave, sending the earth pony flying.
"Whooooaaa!" Applejack exclaimed tumbling past a hovering Rainbow "All yours, partner."
"hehehe upps?" Blushed the country girl as her pony counterpart was sent flying.
"hahahaha nice one AJ" said Rainbow with some laughs "now let my awesome pony self show you how it is done" she boasted much to the ire of her blonde friend.
"if you all could simply…" tried Flutteshy again.
"Don't worry Fluttershy this time we got it" said Rainbow interrupting her friend
" I'm on it!" the Pegasus saluted and zoomed past Fluttershy. Who, once again, tried to call out her friends.
" Wait!"
In seconds, the rainbow mane Pegasus enveloped the Manticore in a multicolored striped twister.
"hahaha go pony me GO!" yelled in excitement de rainbow haired girl "see Applejack that's how its done" she added with a smug smile.
"Oh yeah? And what exactly is she doing outside of maybe dizzying that thing?" asked Applejack with a challenging tone.
"Ha! As if" said Rainbow "probably will lunch it hide into the air and away from them saving the day" she finished with a smile.
"Umm I don't think that's…" started Fluttershy
"Ehh Rainbow? I think you are forgetting something" added Lyra interrupting Fluttershy.
"Oh yeah? What?"
However the creature got tired of the bug buzzing around it and, with a lash of it´s scorpion tale, knocked Rainbow out of the twister and sent her towards the group with a yell.
"The tail" finished Lyra.
"Your other self was flying to close to the Manticore and it has a good length of attack thanks to its tail" added Bon Bon.
"Oh come on! That's cheating" complained Rainbow Dash.
"Just be thankful she was hit with the tail and not with the stinger" said Sunset with a tired tone.
"Ha...that would be funny" Trixie laughed "that thing would enjoy its own Rainbow shishkebab"
"Hey!" Rainbow yelled in anger.
"Crude but fitting" added Microships "considering that sting is as big as she is tall it would probably went through her"
Everyone turned green at the idea.
"TMI Microchips" said Sunset.
"Rainbow!" cried Twilight seeing the Pegasus crash landing in front of her.
The unicorn, tired of the whole situation, braced herself (alongside Applejack, Pinkie pie and Rarity) snorting at the Manticore, which answered with a growl accepting the challenge.
Soon the five ponies (Rainbow Dash joining the group) charged against the creature.
"Ok kitty cat you going down!" said Rainbow seeing her pony counterpart returning to the fight.
"You got your chance Rainbow" said Applejack with a smile "let my other self deal with that wild bull"
"I don't think…" Fluttershy tried again.
"Your pony self was sent flying too Applejack" argued Rainbow Dash
"True but she lasted longer against the Manticore that your pony self" said Applejack crossing arms and with a smug smile on her face.
"That's not true!" yelled back the rainbow haired girl "my pony self lasted longer and looked better fighting against that creature.
"Actually, Applejack is right" intercepted Microchips gaining her the incredulous look from the sport girl "by my calculation her pony-self did lasted at least 2 seconds more riding the Manticore that pony Rainbow Dash making the twister"
"WHAT!"
"HAHA in your face rainbow Dash"
"That's bull!" yelled Rainbow gaining a scolding from the teachers "didn't you saw that twister? My pony self was about to send that thing flying"
"If I could…" Fluttershy tried again.
"As if" said Applejack interrupting the pink haired girl and getting closer to Rainbow Dash "that only was giving him a bad hair day" Rainbow steamed at this "if anything my pony-self would have tamed that beast as a bronco"
"But it would have taken to long" said Scootaloo eneting the fight "if anything pony Rainbow Dash would have sent that thing sky high and away from them if that thing didn't cheated with that tail"
That made Rainbow Dash smile and give Applejack a "see?!"
"Well ummm actually…" The shy girl tried yet again
"That's ridiculous Scootaloo" interrupted Apple Bloom "you saw how my pony-sis was rising that thing? She was beating it"
"oh please..how heavy could be a horse of that size?" said Scootaloo back "if anything Rainbow´s twister whouls hurt it more…just woooosh into the air and then BAM! Against the ground and is over"
Both girls were looking ready to argue but then…
"Actually think my sister wins that one out" said Sweetie Belle.
"What are you talking about?!" her friends yelled/asked at her.
"Well of the three only Rarity landed a hit on that thing so if anyone was actually doing damage that would be her" said the girl with a smile.
"Umm on that she is right" said Lyra.
"Don't encourage them" scolded Bon Bon "plus I wont call that lucky shot as making damage"
"That's true but…" Shy again.
"Plus it was obvious that that monster actually had to made an effort to throw Applejack away" Cherry Crash added.
"True with pony Dash it only had to swap her with its tail like it was nothing" agreed Mystery Mint.
"Like it was nothing?!" Dash yelled feeling insulted.
"Actually…" Fluttershy tried again
"Oh please...if anything THAT do was a lucky shot" said Tennis Match in defense of her fellow athlete "if it wasn't for that it would be game and set in favor of pony Rainbow"
"I don't know" Curly winds began "it sounds like you putting excuses to favor Dash"
"Like pony Applejack could have done better" argued Cloudy kicks.
Soon everyone was arguing against each other saying how pony Applejack/Rainbow Dash did a better effort against the Manticore.
This continue for a moment and Viceprincipal Luna was about to make everyone shut up when…
From the sidelines, Fluttershy threw herself in their path.
WAAAIIIT!/WAAAIIIT!
Everyone stood still as Fluttershy´s yell echoed for some moments. Everyone just looked shocked of the volume the normally shy girl could reach.
"Just look" she said softly pointing to the screen.
he charging ponies (and the Manticore) stood still in confusion about the pagasus´s actions. Fluttershy looked behind herself and walked toward the beast, who raised one meaty paw, ready to disembowel her on the spot.
"Flutteshy are you crazy?!" yelled Rainbow Dash
"just watch" said the shy girl in a clam tone.
"but..but that brute will…" tried to said Rarity.
"Just. Watch." Fluttershy said in a more firm tone.
"Shhh, it's okay" the pink mane Pegasus said in tender tone as she approached the creature.
Everyone peeked nervously forward and caught sight of Fluttershy sniffing at the paw not lifted for a strike. The manticore uncertainly un-clenched it to reveal a large thorn stuck in the pad.
"A THORN!" Everyone cried in shock/disbelieve at the reason why the monster was attacking them.
"Oh, you poor, poor little baby" Fluttershy cooed in worry.
" Little?!" Rainbow Dash asked in disbelief.
"Baby?!" reaction shared by the human rainbow Dash.
" Now this might hurt for just a second." She eased her head toward the thorn; a sudden pluck, and the huge mouth opened with a powerful roar at point-blank range.
"FLUTTERSHY!" the others cried in fright and worry.
Surprisingly Fluttershy didn't even flitch while the others around her tense in worry.
However instead of been torn apart by the predator, the yellow found herself being cradled and licked by the suddenly pacified monster.
"Aw, you're just a little old baby kitty, aren't you?" Fluttershy giggled en delight: "Yes, you are. Yes, you are"
"What?" Rainbow's jaw fell.
"What?" Applejack sat in shock.
"WHAT?!" Trixie cried in disbelief.
During this, the other five ponies shifted from befuddled gapes to warm smiles, and moved past the manticore without any trouble.
"I...she…it…uggg HOW?!" asked Rainbow after a moment.
Everyone turned to see Fluttershy, who had quite a mischievous smile on her face.
Twilight hanged back for a moment so Fluttershy can catch up, her mane still swept up into a thick pink cowlick by its show of affection
" How did you know about the thorn?" the unicorn asked.
"I didn't." Fluttershy answered walking past her "Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness"
"Its that really all?" asked Cherry Crash still working on the fact the pony version of the shyest girl on ALL C.H.S. just face off against a literal monster...and manage to tame it! (She wasn't alone as all the students and teachers were passing for the same)
"Well…if she is anything like me…"started Fluttershy "then she also knew that those roars weren't jus of anger but also of pain" explained the animal lover "poor thing, that thorn must had got into a soft spot on its pawn" she turned to the others "that's the most sensitive part of a cat´s pawn" she explained with some of the eco-kids agreeing with her.
"I wonder then if that Fluttershy also works on a shelter" wondered Paisley. "For her to know that big cat was hurt like that she must have a lot of knowledge on animals"
"Well...we did saw her conduct those birds like an orchestra" said Octavia thinking back at that.
"Well…I don't think I can do that so…maybe is something pony-related?" said Fluttershy"
"Umm probably" thought aloud Sunset "I mean she is a Pegasus and they tend to be weather orientated…umm..but she has butterflies so maybe…ummm"
"Still that was really brave of your pony self Fluttershy" said Rainbow Dash "you really should show a lot more of that side"
"Oh ummm thanks Rainbow but I don't think im as brave as she is" said the pink girl with a shy smile.
"You kidding me partner?" asked Applejack "you are more brave that you think you are"
"Yeah!" interceded Pinkie Pie "You literal stood your ground along side us when Sunset when all demon and throw a giant fireball at us" she then turned to Sunset "no offense"
"None taken" Sunset answered rolling her eyes "but Pinkie is right…you did that and also you help us take down the sirens"
Others nodded their heads agreeing with the Equestrian girl.
"Oh well…I couldn't leave my friends to face danger like that" said the girl with a small blush for the praises.
"I think that's a good example of bravery" added Principal Celestia "the fact you didn't back off even when you knew it was dangerous all for the safety of your friend do makes you quite brave miss Fluttershy"
"Yeah what she said" said Rainbow "come on Fluttershy show us all that brave girl we know you can be!"
Around her the others also cheered for her and gave her encourage words.
"Umm maybe you are right" the girl started nervous but then she gained a confident expression on her face "yeah..i will do it…I will be brave for now on!"
"you go girl!" yelled Pinkie Pie exited "here you do the hones" she added making Fluttershy sit at her side and directly infront of the screen.
"Ok Pinkie Pie" the new brave Fluttershy said before pushing play.
The unicorn pondered this for a second, smiled to herself, and followed.
Behind them, unseen, the discarded thorn spun in place and turned into Nightmare's cloud.
"That…big…MEANIE!" yelled Fluttershy in anger "how she dare hurt an innocent and helpless creature just for her gain!"
"Wouldn't call that thing helpless…" whispered Luna but somehow Fluttershy head her and turned around giving everyone between her and the vice principal a stare.
"Who said that?!"
No one dared to speak and the vice principal decided to NOT try challenging that.
"I think you keep your opinion for yourself for the time been" whispered a nervous Celestia to her sister who only nodded back.
Seeing that no one would answer the animal-lover huffed and returned to the screen (making everyone behind her release a sigh of relief)
Soon after the six ponies were moving through another area of the forest. The squishing steps indicated that they had entered a boggy or swampy area.
"My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck" Rarity said shuddering in disgust. Within moments, the trees thickened to the point that no light gets through them, leaving the group in the dark. "Well, I didn't mean that literally" the unicorn snapped at the trees.
Fluttershy gulped at the sudden darkness. But shaking herself she managed to keep herself from trembling.
She can be brave.
She can be brave.
She can be brave.
She repeated inside her mind.
"That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces, and we wouldn't even know it!" Twilight said in frustration
Unseen by then the Nightmare wisp snaked past them and wrapped itself into a twisted old tree.
Everyone narrowed their eyes to that wondering what trick the Nightmare had in hands/hooves now.
" Oh, wait" Applejack suddenly yelled "I think I stepped in somethin'."
Fluttershy screamed, but Applejack paid no mind and moved on, a bit exasperated
" Its just mud." The earth pony said before turning forwards…and into a gruesome face on the tree trunk before her.
Applejack bolted with a yell while others stare wide-eyed as around them the forest´s trees gained toothy maws and glaring knothole eyes on their trunks
Screams ripped through the air.
Everyone gave a jump at the sudden evil tree.
"Whoa...that do was surprised" said Pinkie pie "good thing you are brave now, right Fluttershy?...Fluttershy?" she looked at her side only to see no one.
Pinkie pie looked behind her where Rainbow Dash was who just gave an amused look at the trembling Pink haired girl trying to hide behind her.
"hehehe" Fluttershy laughed nervously rubbing her head in embarrassment, and didn't blame anyone that chuckled in her direction.