Ch-4 - The Journey Begins

The seven of them went to their homes to pack a backpack of supplies, all of them shivering in fear but trying to be strong for eachother. Twilight had found a map to the borders and was leading the way. Nobody talked much for a long time. They had reached a train station to Los Pegasus- one of the civilized places closest to the borders. They traveled in silence until they reached. Then they started to walk to the borders, as no transport would go there. The borders were marked by a short fence. It was easy for anyone to enter, but they would be some of the only ponies who a deep breath, Twilight asked"Is everyone ready? For anything?" No answer, till Fluttershy, trying to lighten the mood said

"We have eachother. Nothing's a match for our friendship!"

"YEAH!" said everyone else, feeling more confident.

"Ok, let's do this." said Twilight. And they went in. Staying close to eachother, they cautiously walked, with Twilight leading the way again. Rainbow was flying over them, scanning the sky and ground for dangers. After a few minutes of walking with bated breath, they finally relaxed just a bit and began to realize the beauty of the place. It was rather like the Everfree forest, but not as dark. Apart from insects and an occasional bird, there were no other life forms to be seen. The whole place had a mystic and intriguing feel to it. They soon began to appreciate it's beauty.

"Perhaps this is just another ordinary place" said Rarity. '' It doesn't look very terrifying to me. I don't understand why everypony is so scared by it". Twilight had read that the dangers of the borders lay much further in and according to the map they would reach those "danger zones" quite soon, but didn't want to scare everyone again,so she said nothing about it. Still, they should all be ready for whatever would happen, so she said, trying to sound calm

"I agree. but we probably shouldn't let our guards down, right?"

"Of course Twi" said Rainbow Dash, still on the lookout. "I'll guard all of - PINKIE LOOK OUT" A huge snake, about 20 feet long had emerged from the ground and was towering over Pinkie, who was far behind the others, admiring a colorful little bug. Not looking phased at all, she took out her party canon and blasted the beasts' face with confetti. Startled, it went back in the ground.

"I'm okie dokie lokie" said Pinkie happily.

"I'm glad' said Fluttershy "but you really didn't need to scare the poor thing. I'm sure I could have reasoned with it"

"That's awful sweet of ya Fluttershy " started Apple-Jack. "But I don't think even you could tame the creatures here."

"Why not?" argued Fluttershy " We agreed they're not so different, right''

"We just don't want you to get hurt Flutters" said Pinkie.

" I know" replied Fluttershy, smiling" and I appreciate that. But I can't bear for any creature, big or small, to be hurt."

"Of course we won't hurt them Fluttershy" said Twilight reassuringly . "But we might need to drive them away if they're a threat. And before you manage to calm them down, we might be long gone. We just can't risk that"

"Ok" said Fluttershy and there was silence again. Until-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH" shrieked Rarity.

"What's wrong?" Everyone turned quickly, Rainbow posed for a fight. "I stepped in a disgusting mud puddle! was Rarity's tearful reply. "Just look at my hooves!" Holding back AJ, who looked like she was gonna burst, Twilight stepped forward calmly and said " Rarity, we're sure to get a bit dirty on a mission like this. Please don't make a fuss like that for it, we were all terrified! If you can't handle dirty hooves, you can go back if you like." Looking mortified Rarity stammered

" Oh of course not dear! I was just...surprised. I'm dreadfully sorry I scared you."

"It's ok" replied Twilight, feeling a little bad for what she said. They kept on walking, with Rainbow and AJ teasing Rarity several times. For once, she took it, still feeling embarassed. The next happening was something nobody was prepared for. A huge, swirling tornado- headed right for them! "Where in Equestria did THAT come from?"

All of them scattered for cover- Pinkie hopped onto trees, Fluttershy flew with spike, Rainbow grabbed Rarity and dashed of, and Twilight, after remembering that she had wings too, grabbed AJ and flew to a tall tree. They kept hopping and flying, dodging the tornado, until they were far away from it. "It's in the opposite direction" confirmed , they rested on the ground for a bit. "I think we deserve a break" said Twilight. They ate some snacks that they had packed, stretched, and then kept going. " We'll reach the mountains soon!" said Twilight excitedly. Nobody knew whether to be relieved or more nervous, but they were glad they were closer. They had no idea that what they had faced so far was NOTHING compared to what was waiting for them.