This was bad. This was all kinds of bad. Dee-Dee, (who could not for the life of her understand why they were high-tailing it away from a single chicken), came to a skidding halt with the rest of the ponies when they ran directly into a lone timber wolf standing on the trail. What a lone timber wolf was doing in the middle of the forest was beyond her. A scouting mission, maybe? Perhaps there was a new pack in town? Regardless, its timing couldn't have been worse. The four fillies were trapped now; a looming timber wolf standing in front of them, and apparently some sort of highly skilled assassin chicken slowly approaching from behind.
Quickly, Apple Bloom pulled the girls into a nervous huddle and drew them as tight as she could together, trying to keep one eye on the timber wolf, and another on the slowly approaching cockatrice. She flashed Dee-Dee a sheepishly hopeful grin and nodded her head encouragingly.
"A-Alright miss monstah huntah. Looks like yer up," Apple Bloom chuckled. Scootaloo flashed a hopeful smile and nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Yeah, knock 'em dead Dee-Dee!" She squeaked. Dee-Dee offered the group a shaky smile and bit her lower lip. She stole a glance at her surroundings and made herself aware of the exact position of the slithering chicken and the stalking wolf.
" Are you'se kiddin'?! We gotta git outta here! " The silver pony squeaked. Apple Bloom gave an irritated grunt. She knew it...
"Sounds like you're scared!" Scootaloo jeered. Dee-Dee rapidly nodded her head.
"I yam flippin' terrified! Ain't you'se?!" The little pegasus squealed. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, easing herself towards the front of the group. Exactly what she was planning to do was a mystery to her, but she had to do something! She couldn't let her friends become a timber wolf's snack, or turned to stone or....that was it! Quickly, the little filly turned towards the cockatrice, and gave an exaggerated scream.
"Oh no!! We're in real trouble!! If that cocktrice gits to us, it'll turn us to stone, but at least that way we won't get eaten by a timber wolf! Boy, I'd be mad if some chicken took away MY next meal!" Apple Bloom barked at the top of her lungs. For a horrifying second she caught sight of the empty hollows that inhabited the timber wolfs gaze. Her blood froze, but just for a second. Its cold, haunting glare passed over the group of fillies and settled on the approaching creature. To Apple Bloom's ultimate relief, the wolf sauntered past the group and slowly began to circle the cockatrice. It made a clucking, hissing sound and rose up, looming over the wolf while behind it, the four fillies quietly crept away. They broke into a cold run the moment they were far enough and they didn't stop until they reached the Castle of the Two Sisters.
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
"ALRIGHT YOU!" Apple Bloom barked. The group had finally stopped running, and settled down in the courtyard of the castle for a much needed break. "First thing in the mornin' ya'll gonna march back to the school and tell everypony the truth! Ah ain't gonna git muh cutie mark eaten tryin ta protect some pony lyin' ta me! This is dangerous, and there ain't no reason ta be here a'tall! Do ya'll even realize what kinda trouble we're in!? A timberwolf has our scent now! And for what, Dee-Dee?! What are we out here for?!" Apple Bloom snarled. She could hear Applejack's voice echoing in her thoughts. All she wanted to do was protect her friends, and she didn't particularly favor ponys who put them into danger. Real danger. She gave a snort, glaring at Dee-Dee who had turned away from her and was staring into the distance.
"I...I ain't nevah said for you'se ta come with me. I'm da one dat told you'se it was too dangerous. You'se is da one dat followed me! Any ding dat happens to you'se is not my fault. "She said flatly, crossing her arms. Apple Bloom's mouth dropped open. She'd never ever wanted to physically strike somepony but Dee-Dee was surely testing that boundary. Her voice was cold and indifferent, hiding behind a false pretense of blame. The utter NERVE of this filly! She was just about to scuffle up her bow feeding this other filly a dirt sandwich, when she caught sight of Sweetie Belle, whom gazed sadly at the pony she had thought her friend. The rage fizzled quickly enough after that. Sweetie Belle didn't need to see them fighting. It wouldn't help anything now, anyway.
"You are not cool." Scootaloo said and turned sharply on her hooves to enter the castle. Dee-Dee's ears wilted to either side of her head and she turned around, mouth open and searching for something, to say really. She shot a pleading glance at Sweetie Belle, who sadly shook her head, and turned to join Scootaloo in the safety of the castle.
"Listen...Ah ain't gonna leave ya'll out here ta git eaten. You stick with us, ya'hear? " Apple Bloom growled coldly, and waited for Dee-Dee's compliance. While she was less than fond of the new girl, she still didn't want her ending up as a timber wolf's snack. The little silver filly hesitantly turned and peer quietly at Applebloom, before she shook her head.
"I'll...I'll jus stay here." Dee-Dee mumbled sadly. Apple Bloom frowned, and slowly stepped over and rested a hoof on Dee-Dee's shoulders. She was tired and cranky and she certainly didn't want any more arguing. If she had to carry this girl to safety so be it, but enemy or not, she was not going to allow somepony to get hurt on her watch. The shield on her flank didn't wasn't there for decoration.
"Well since it's so dangerous around here, I'm sure a filly like you would want to keep an eye on us, right? Wouldn't Princess Luna be upset if she found out you let somethin' happen to us?" Apple Bloom sighed, rolling her eyes. Dee-Dee frowned. Apple Bloom was right, even if Dee-Dee could tell that she didn't believe a word of what Dee-Dee was saying.
"Right behind you." Dee Dee groaned with a sullen sigh. Quietly, she trudged in behind Apple Bloom, where the four of them searched for a place to rest until morning.