Mountain Chaos. AJ and Knux vs. The Spider Dragon

AJ was starting to stir as she was knocked out. She then holds her head with her hand.

"Ow, mah head..." She moaned to herself, before she opened her eyes slowly, "Wait… w-where am I?" She then looked around to see where she was, but there was not too many things she could see. Her eyes are already accustomed to the darkness, and she could see herself in some large cave. It was like the large cave, where she was before she lost consciousness. She then gasped in fright and began to tremble slightly as she felt something lying next to her. Something that does not look like a stone in her feelings. It then slowly reached out to grope what it was. When she touched it, she could to determine that it was a gnawed bone. Gasping deeply, applejack turned to see what it was, and she saw a skeleton of some dead animal was lying next to her. She quickly sat up and crawls back before she bumped on a stone rock. Her eyes went wide in horror, as she breathed deeply by fixing her eyes on the skeleton.

"W-what in t-t-tarnation?" She asked herself with a quiet tone in her voice, shaking in fear a little. But after a moment some strange noises came from the cave, growling and snarling. She didn't like it. She then slowly turned her eyes to see what it was but only to see a giant black reptile that was look like a varanus came out from one of the holes, by carrying something in his mouth. It was about five times bigger than her and had a huge claws on its paws and giant teeth plus huge wings that stretched and almost touched the walls of the cave. AJ knew that this is not the enemy she could cope with and hid herself behind the rock. She then peek out of it and glanced at the reptile to see the animal in the reptile moth.

"What is this thing?" She asked herself in a whispering tone, hoping it won't hear her. The reptile reached the middle of the cave and dropped its victim down. After that it looked around the cave with its pale white eyes and uttered a loud growl, and it was loud enough for Applejack covered her ears and bared her teeth. The reptile then finished with growling and started to eat its victim by tearing it apart with its strong jaws. It torn off the poor deer's foot, and swallowed it instantly. AJ was helplessly watching, not knowing what she must do before the lizard creature kill other poor innocent animals. But all she could do now is trying to hold her own vomit back for not to attract its attention.

"I.. b-b-better try to find a way out of here away from that… thing, maybe find some help..." Applejack says still trying to hold her vomit. As the dragon was finishing up with the deer, Applejack crouched down trying not to get caught by the creature, but she accidentally stepped on a twig which caught the dragon's attention. The dragon turned and started to look around, as for Applejack, she was hiding behind another big rock before the dragon could find her. Just then the dragon went to the rock behind which AJ was hiding and sniffed it. It then uttered a growl before turning toward the other exit from the cave.

Applejack was watching the lizard leaving the cave, before she went out from behind the rocks. Only when silence filled the room she couldn't hold herself back and vomited. After she finished she then took a deep breath before standing up and walking to the opposite exit hole. Going into the tunnel, she was in total darkness, and groped the wall by hand to determine where she is. In her mind there was only one thought which threw her the creeps.

"I might have to fight back against that Dragon if I want to get out of here, but we'll have to see." Applejack says to herself with a treble in her voice as she walked away from the beast. As she continued forward, she was starting to feel cautious if anything else was in the cave. She kept on thinking about the dragon that ate the deer. She felt a little upset about it because she has never seen anything eat something else violently. She tried not thinking about it as she moved forward, because she still needed to find a way out of the caves and find Knuckles as soon as possible. As she continued she started to hear a strange sound coming from another tunnel in the caves. The noise was heard from something snoring. Of course her first assumption was it was the dragon cause for all she knew it could be asleep, but as she grew closer it started to sound familiar.

She then sees Knuckles on the ground unconscious making a snoring sound. She quickly ran forward to see him. As she ran over, she sat down beside him and grabbed his shoulders with her hands.

"Knuckles!" She tried to shake him though he wasn't moving she then placed her head on his chest, and to her surprise she hears a beat in there. Her face flashed a happy smile as she knew that he was alive. She then placed his head on her knees before she started to caress his head with left hand. Tears of joy filled her eyes.

"Oh thank Celestia, he's still alive." She said through her sobs as she continues to shake him softly, "Wake up ya Knucklehead, please?" She pleaded him to wake up. She continues as she heard a mumble escape from Knuckles's mouth.

"N-not… now…" He muttered, "It's still too early for this." He muttered out, Applejack then promptly slapped him in attempts to wake him up. As she did this Knuckles winched in pain and opened his purple eyes. He then felt that he was lying on something soft and made his eyes wide. He then touched it and immediately recognized his girlfriend's legs, and then he threw his eyes up to meet with her green eyes and her soft and happy smile on her face. He then squinted to make sure that this is not a dream.

"Applejack?" He asked in bewilderment. He ten sat up and took her cheeks, "Is it really you?" He asked again as he still didn't believe that she came here to save him. She then heard and saw Knuckles awake and then cuddles him with glee as tight as she only could. She started to cry softly from the happiness knowing that he was alive and well.

"Oh Knuckles, I'm glad that you're ok, if you would of kicked the bucket, I'd never forgive myself." She said muffled as she buried her face deep onto his chest. He smiles as he then returned the hug.

"I'm glad you're alright too AJ." He said softly as a couple of tears ran out of his eyes. They then finished their hug and stood up.

"So, did you ran in with a big lizard thing about yay tall?" She asked Knuckles stretching her hand to him.

"Yeah… *sigh*... I never saw what you're talking about but I felt... It hit me with its tail, knocked the flashlight I had, and sent me for a loop." Knuckles said as AJ got him up. Knuckles rubbed the back of his head as AJ hugged him tigĥtly. Feeling this, he hugged her back. He then closed his eyes, and tightened his grip as he was always glad to see her. After they relieved themselves Knuckles then spoke.

"Come on we need to get out of here. I hate to see you get hurt by whatever it is that attacked me." He said. AJ showed no signs of disagreement. The two then started to leave the cave and head out through the labyrinth of caves. As they walked around them they found themselves at a little of a loss on what path is right. They would enter one and get sent to more and find that they eventually went in a circle. After a good few minutes of wandering around Knuckles started to grow annoyed.

"AGH! SWEET GOD OF CHAOS DAMMIT!" He yelled while AJ was surprised by his word choice and cursing as she only would hear it if Knuckles got fuming mad or just grew impatient long enough. "Sigh sorry didn't mean to yell, but this is ridiculous we've passed by here about 5 times. Ugh we need to figure this out." He said as he looked at the caverns. AJ looked around as well.

"Alright… Let's separate…and see if we can find a way out" She suggested. But Knuckles didn't like the idea. He then turned to her as his face twisted because of stupidity of her decision.

"Wha?" He asked with his voice sounded sarcastically, "Are you serious? In a moment when we need to stay together, you suggest to separate?"

Applejack was staring at him with wide eyes, as she didn't know why he didn't like her idea. But then she smacked herself on the head and growled in annoyance as she realize how stupid her suggestion was. She then glanced at him.

"Pardon… I didn't know what I was thinking." She said.

"Nevermind." Knuckles said, before he looked around the caverns. He then glanced to the left and saw a small hole down there, "Look." He said by pointing his index finger to the hole. AJ looked at the hole and spotted a flickering light in the end of the tunnel. She sighed in relief, before she smiled and looked at Knuckles.

"There's a light." She said, "And I can feel the fresh air from there."

"Thats a good sign." Knuckles remarked, "You go first, I follow you." Applejack looked at him and nodded in agreement as she went in while Knuckles looked behind him to make sure that dragon wasn't behind them. He then proceeds into the cave with AJ in front of him. The two as they approached where the light was coming from they could hear water running. After they went out of the tunnel, they found themselves in a cave where the dragon caught them. That's when they found the light source. It was Knuckles's flashlight. Knuckles then ran to it and looked at the cave it was in front.

"This is definitely the right way. Come on we're almost out Applejack." He said as they proceed to the cave. That's when AJ stopped Knuckles as she heard something too familiar not to be recognized, she then pulled on Knuckles and backed him out of the cave. Knuckles at first was confused by this until he saw what was up.

They saw the dragon's head peaks out from the ceiling hole and his vicious white eyes staring right at the couple. Much to them both felt the same fear they felt when they were caught. The dragon then crawled out of the hole as his long and huge body appeared right behind him. It crawled on the wall by clinging to the rocks with its long and mighty claws from up to down until it climbed down in front of the two and blocked their way to the exit. It then starts to growl and hiss at them as its long snakelike tongue popped out of its mouth sometimes. He then started to crawl to Knuckles and AJ slowly, prompting them to back away from it, not taking their eyes off it. After a few steps the dragon stopped and stretched out his neck, by looking at them and licking them with its tongue sometimes. It took a few seconds before he lets out a roar that paralyzes them for a bit, but after snapping out of it Knuckles then got into a fighting stance.

"AJ stay behind me. I'll send this creep packing!" He said as he readied to fight the Dragon, but AJ stood by his side and readied herself.

"No way I'm leaving you to do it alone partner. I thought I lost ya once. I ain't allowing that to happen again." She said. Knuckles was about to object, but AJ just gave him her *don't try to talk me out of it look.* Knowing he couldn't argue with her he nodded as the two readied themselves for the fight of their lives. But the winged-lizard was not going to retreat, guided only by its own predatory instincts. It then took a stance as it was ready to made a strike and opened its mouth wide. Just after a short moment it rushed at them with its full force, but just before it made a death bite Knuckles and AJ dodged by jumping on a different sides. Knuckles them attempted to punch him, but he failed as the lizard whips around and hits him with its tail, thus sending him to a short flight. Knuckles then slammed into some rocks and laid on the floor. He then struggles to get up while AJ dodges left and right of the dragons jabs with its mouth. AJ decided to try and charge up and was able to pull some of the stalagmites from above and directed them at the dragon. However one roar and they were blown away. The dragon then tried to stomp on her, but she was able to barrel roll out of the way. She then ran at it's leg and swung her leg at it in the form of a roundhouse kick. This cause the dragon to roar a little then it tried to lift its leg to smash her, but AJ moved out of the way while Knuckles stood up and then decided to try a different tactic. He then started picking up big rocks and throwing them at the dragon, but the dragon takes them and turns to Knuckles it then tries to jab him, but Knuckles dodge and barrel rolled out of the way. That's when he was right in front of AJ. They both was now facing the giant lizard and frowned in a confidence, as they both got the idea about how they could win. They then took each other arms and decided to strike together.

With a combined kick and punch they were able to push the dragon back, but it quickly recovered and used its tail and swiped back at the two and pinned them against a wall.

"Goshdarnit this guy just doesn't know when to give up!" AJ said breathing heavily from feeling fatigued from fighting the dragon.

"I know he's tougher than the both of us!" Knuckles said as AJ agreed.

"Ah guess we just have no choice but to run for it!" She explained though Knuckles and at this rate they were in he didn't want to argue as the two booked it to try and flee. They tried to lose the dragon in the dark caves, but unfortunately the dragon had night vision so it always knew where they were going. They ran through the caves, panting and trying to escape from their pursuer, but unfortunately for them, a huge lizard always knew where to run. After a few minutes of legwork, they are back to where they recently fought. They stopped, continuing to breathe heavily to restore the loss of air. But their respite was short, as they heard a terrible roar came from the caves. They gasped in fright, and then looked at the cave.

"It's still following us!" Knuckles said before he spots something on the ground. He then leaned down and grabs it.

"What did you find?" She asked.

"It's my flashlight." He said though she yelled out.

"There's no time to reclaim our supplies we gotta keep running, but we might as well use it so we can see where are we going!" She replied He took it out and shined it over to where they were to see there their attacker was coming from.

That's when they heard the dragon growing closer and closer. They knew that they could not win the second fight, so they approached closer to the river, but before they could try and get to the next one the Dragon appeared and backed them up. That's when Knuckles dropped the flashlight and got ready to give AJ a chance to run. However as they were ready to give up the fight, the light accidentally hit the dragon's eyes and it cried out of pain loudly and started to back away slowly still keeping its eyes closed.

Knuckles looked confused and see that the light of the flashlight was still on and was shining on the arachnid dragon, he got an idea as motioned AJ to look at him.

"AJ I've got an idea just be ready to jump as soon as I say so okay?" He asked. AJ was puzzled by what he said, but nodded in agreement. Knuckles then went forward and grabbed the flashlight before he backed away from him. The lizard then recovered its vision and opened its eyes again. It glared at Knuckles and was ready to attack him again. But Knuckles shined it right on the giant lizard's eyes again. The Dragon cried out in pain and closed his eyes one more time before it back away further.

"Yeah how do you like that big guy? Can't take the light can you?" Knuckles then backed up to AJ while the flashlight. The dragon then recovered its vision and jumped on the was. It started to crawl on the was, to attack our heroes from the side. Knuckles knew that this is their chance. He then looks to her and shouts: "JUMP!" As he shouts he turns the light away and him and AJ jumped into the river just a second before the predator rushed at them. Applejack and Knuckles swam to the tunnel and as they caught the strong water current they let it to carry them away. The dragon then glanced inside the river tunnel where Knuckles and Applejack escaped and let out powerfull and furious roar.

Meanwhile, Applejack and Knuckles swept downstream water down the piedmont river. They screamed in excitement and fear, trying to stay in the center of the flow, and not to hit the hard stones. They sailed so nearly seven minutes before the cave was over and they ended up outside.

"WHOAAAAAAAAAA…" They shouted when they ceased to feel on the ground, and fell from a waterfall down into the pond. Once under water, Knuckles grabbed Applejack with his right hand and floated to the surface. They gulped air, when their heads appeared above the water, and then they swam ashore. Once on shore, they both collapsed exhausted on the ground. Knuckles immediately closed his eyes tightly and clenched his teeth, with his both hands were clenched into a fist, and he kneaded the ground. As for Applejack, she opened her eyes and looked up to see where she was. She saw the thick trees, grass and flowers. It was the ever-free forest. Then she closed her eyes again, and rested her head on the ground. Only now, she could relax, knowing that all the worst is over.

A few minutes later Knuckles and AJ were seen coming from the lake they landed in and were on shore heavily breathing. They sat next to each other, with their faces depressed and still frightened. Knuckles then looked at her.

"You okay?" He asked. She just looked at him with a grumpy look.

"Besides the fact I'm soaking wet. I'm just dandy Knux." She said with annoyance in her voice, by trying to hide that she was still depressed. Knuckles decided not to argue with her and then he stood up and went on check out the area to see if there was anyone out here. Applejack was looking behind him until he disappeared behind the bunches and then she glanced at herself. With a deep sigh she removed her hat and placed it next to her. After that she started to strip herself of her clothes and hung it up to a nearby branch. After a few more minutes when Knuckles came back he saw AJ still leaning over the lake as she was upset. She wrapped her hands around her legs and resting her head on her knees. She literally curled up into a ball. Knuckles didn't like seeing her like this and came up to her. He then smirked.

"As much as I like seeing my girl without her clothes we need to get going." He said trying to cheer her up. She uncurled herself and looked up at him. She saw him smirking and he then lowered himself to her level. Applejack still was bothered, but tried to smile back at him, and she almost made it look like she wasn't upset. She then nodded, and then she stood up and went to her clothes and hat. Knuckles being a gentleman turned around while she got up and went to grab her clothes before they left. AJ tossed Knuckles' jacket to him. Knuckles smirked and put it on as they left. After that they walked on forward back through the forest with Knuckles carrying AJ all the way. As they reached Ponyville AJ had grown very tired from the long walk and everything she went through. As they approached Apple Acres Knuckles couldn't help but look at AJ. She had closed her eyes, but had brought herself so close to knuckles her head was buried in his chest. He then had a thought.

"Dang dragon. Well not much I can do now, but I think we'd better settle down for now and get rest." That's when AJ started to stir and awoke as if she heard his thought. He then set her down right before they went into the house. They decided to keep what happened to themselves.

Later that night AJ was in the shower trying to settle down, but as she showered flashes of that dragon popped in her head. She then let the water hit her face as she had these images of that horrifying beast popped up and what happened to the poor deer. That's when she had a realization that made her start to cry a little. If she hadn't come to Knuckles when she did he would've met the same fate. This then brought back what happened to her parents when she was young when they fell of the bridge and she was helpless to do anything but watch. She let the tears flow down as steam arose from the shower. She still tried to sound quiet as she left the shower, but she could no longer stand on her feet. Feeling the weakness in the legs, she rested her back against the wall, and then she slid down until she fell the floor. She buried her face in her hands and started to cry more hard.

After about half an hour, you can see Knuckles was patching himself with some white bandages. He carefully tape up his arm, where he had a small cut. When he finished with himself, he then took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. He then took his shoes and gloves off, dropped his head down, and leaned his elbows on his knees with his eyes fixed on the floor. He remembered all that happened in there, from the moment when he entered the caves and until the moment when he lost his consciousness. The only thing he thought of was AJ being left alone in that cold cave or worse for all he knew. Knuckles then gripped the covers hard.

"Ergh! IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO AJ AND IT WAS CAUSE OF THAT DAMN DRAGON I WOULD MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T LEAVE THAT CAVE WITH IT'S MIND IN TACKED." That's when he closes his eyes as he continued his train of thought, "Sigh calm down Knux the point now is she's safe and that's all that matters." That's when his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. He opened his eyes and threw his gaze towards the door to see Applejack wrapped in a towel entered inside with her head down and with her face still sad. She had a tears in her eyes. Knuckles became sad as well as he hated to see her like this. He then moved himself to the edge of the bed and reached his hand towards her.

"Applejack." He called her softly. Applejack attacked him with strong arms and cuddled to him as tight as she could by wrapping her arms around his neck. She rested herself on him and burst into soft cry as thoughts about what might happen never left her mind. Knuckles however knew why she was like this. He tightly wrapped his own arms around her by trying to comfort her. His fingers slowly started to run through her soft blonde mane.

"Shhhh it's okay." He whispered, "Don't cry… if you don't stop, I am going to cry as well."

"Kn... n…n-n-n-n… *sobs*... Knuc…" AJ tried to utter, "Knuckles… N-n-n-n-never… *sobs*... d-do that again… *sobs*... n-n-n-n-never!"

"I won't." Knuckles whispered, "I-I-It's just after what that dragon did to those deer...*sob*...I-I-I thought it did the same to you...*sob*...I-I-I didn't want to lose you...*sob*...n-n-not like I lost my parents...*sob*...*sob*..." She said as her grip started to tighten as she tried to pull him closer. Knuckles could feel her tears start to hit his chest. Knuckles closed his eyes and spoke

"AJ I promise… *sigh*... We will never go to that mountain again." He said as he opened his eyes and looked at his girl.

Applejack then raised her head and glanced inside his violet eyes still sobbing, "Knuxie… *sob*... I l-love… y-ou…" She said the sacred words, which prompted Knuckles to smile at her.

"I love you too, you my blonde cowgirl heroine." He said before he kissed her on the lips and hugged her tightly again. He then slipped off her towel, thus leaving her body exposed but she didn't care all she wanted to do was be with him. Knuckles then tossed the towel out the room, laid down under a blanket with her in his arms. He then covered them both under the warm blanket and wrapped his own arms around Applejack as she snuggled so close to him her body felt like she was trying to merge with his. He then closed his eyes and yawned. He then opened his eyes again real quick and wiped away her tears as he spoke

"Applejack. Lets try to sleep." He whispered, "It's the best thing we can do right now." Applejack nodded to him before she rested herself on the top of him and closed her eyes. She then moaned wearily as a sleep started to take over her. Knuckles was staring at his girl by stroking her mane with his right hand and trying to relax her so she could sleep peacefully. After a couple of minutes when she was asleep, he saw how her beautiful face shone with a sleepy smile. He smiled as well before he turned his gaze to the window. He saw the mountain tops somewhere far away and became sad again as he remembered what happened recently and the thing that made it worse was that the mountains reminded him of the mountain where the master emerald was and it was the last time he saw his father. Sighing, Knuckles closed his eyes tightly as he fell asleep as well.

In the meantime a heavy snow storm continued to rage in the mountains. Entrance to the cave in the meantime was empty, and even the equipment was not there. Deep inside the cave, a huge lizard with deadly white eyes and black scales, was carrying the next prey in its jaws. When it entered into his vast lair, it threw a cow on the ground, and was ready to begin its meal. But suddenly the lair was covered in green light. The Dragon had then moved its eyes to the source of its light to see ominous green eyes of a creature who was look like a mobian but had dressed in a perfectly white suit and found the equipment that was lying next to him. This creature then walked in and approached the dragon. After the gap between the two was closed, the mobian scratched the beast's neck, prompting the dragon to roar pleased and stretching out like a dog.

"Good boy. You did a very good job" Mobian said with a low male voice as he pats the dragon's head, "Bon Appetit." He said before turning himself to the exit, but tossed some meat for him. The dragon then resumed his dinner, while mobian approached the equipment and headed for the exit from the cave. Soon he found himself on the outside standing in the middle of the snowstorm with the equipment bag in his right hand and then looks over the horizon. Only now you can see that it was a male hedgehog black in color with pale green streaks on his hair. He had a sinister grin on his face, carefully examining Equestria. Sniffing mountain air, then he looked down from the mountaintop.

"Ha-ha... Well won't they be surprised to see me, but for now I think I'll wait better. I will see you soon... hahahahaha..." The mobian laughs and then it vanishes without leaving any trace.

A/N:

NSH: Well there you go that's another one down. Hope you all enjoyed this one. We did our very best and also plot twist we are starting to bring some enemies back.

TOG: indeed we are some familiar or maybe new ones whichever. I liked doing this even if I wasn't around for most of this one.

BHG: Oh, stop talking TOG, you made a good work with the final, so this is your story as well. Anyway, I hope all of you guessed who that mysterious mobian is and I hope you'll liked this plot twist.

TOG: So anyway we hoped you enjoyed this please fav and follow this story if you like this and please leave a review.

BHG: And do not forget to check ourselves other stories as well… hehe

NSH: Yeah until then this is NSH, TOG, and BHG signing off. B-BYE!