Why the Everfree?
It was a beautiful day in Ponyville, the sun was shining, the clouds were non-existent, and it was the kind of day that Pegasi rarely managed to create. Everypony was out in the town today, having fun with their friends or simply out enjoying the weather. That is all, but one pony, who was sitting in an abnormally large tree, at her desk, reading for what must have been the seventh book that morning.
"Come on Twilight" announced a small dragon as he wondered into the room "its a beautiful day outside and you're in here studying, why don't you take a break for an hour?"
Twilight sighed, she had to admit that she was missing out on one of the sunniest days she had seen since she moved to Ponyville, and she was admittedly feeling rather peckish.
"I guess an hour won't hurt my studies, I suppose I can always finish these books later" she said, as she motioned to what seemed to be a pile of twenty books or more.
"Im sure you'll be fine" Spike added "besides I've known you to read twice this in a day!"
Twilight smiled at the compliment
"Oh ok, fine, lets get lunch, I'm sure you could do with it too?"
"I guess, I've had some gems already, but a second lunch wouldn't hurt!"
*
After a daisy sandwich and a large bowl of gems, the pair headed back to the tree, however as they were walking back they heard a muffled crying sound, which seemed to be coming from a nearby tree. As they walked over to it they noticed a pink trail of hair, dangling from a branch, which led to the source of the crying.
"Fluttershy, what happened? is something wrong?" Twilight announced as she looked up at the sobbing pony
Fluttershy looked down, with big, sad eyes. "Oh Twilight its awful, i don't think I've ever been rejected by an animal before!"
Twilight and Spike exchanged confused glances
"I mean, i know he's big and strong, but i don't know why he was so mean to me!" Fluttershy cried out before she began sobbing again.
"I'm sure he was just in a bad mood Fluttershy, maybe if we go together we can calm him down, and make sure he isn't mean to you anymore?" Twilight suggested
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Fluttershy squealed with delight, as she floated down from the tree with a huge grin on her face.
Twilight comforted her shy friend with an amorous hug, releasing the tension from both the ponies
"Now" Twilight begun "where can we find this animal?"
"Oh um, well, you see...." Fluttershy said with a slight panic in her voice "he's in the Everfree Forest."
Twilight and Spikes faces simultaneously went pale.
" T-The Everfree forest?" Twilight finally managed to say
" Mhm, I got lost on the route to Zecora's place, and I came across him, he seemed so peaceful at first, but when i tried to go near him, he just seemed so angry.... poor guy just needs some help."
"Ah, yes, well I can see that" Twilight responded "but, uh, maybe another time hm? I have an awful lot of studying to catch up on."
It wasn't the most original of excuses Twilight had come up with, but she was downright frightened of the Everfree, and all its mysterious behaviour.
But already she could see tears welling up in Fluttershy's eyes, and she knew for an absolute fact, that she couldn't say no to this job.
" Although I guess i could take a break from studying for a bit, I mean, we wont be in the Everfree for long?"
"Oh i don't know twilight... It did seem like i was quite deep into the forest, and I was pretty sure i was going the wrong way, but I wasn't too concerned about that at the time."
"That's interesting, why didn't you just fly out of the forest?, I mean it would have been a lot quicker and easier than walking."
"I guess, but it was so interesting! And there were so many new creatures down there, and I had to say hello to them, they seemed so lonely on the statue..."
Twilight's ears perked up at this point
"Statue? but I thought you said you were in the forest? Why was there a statue?"
"Oh, did i not tell you? I'm sorry..." Fluttershy apologised
"Its fine" replied Twilight "Im just curious on why there was a statue there."
"Well you see, the statue was just lying there on the ground, it didn't seem like it belonged to anything, although it might of had something to do with this map i found" She responded "Would you like to see it?"
"Yes, I..."
Twilight was cut short by an excited shout from directly above them
"Wait map!, that means it must lead to something, and possibly something unknown!, and unknown is adventure! oh this is so awesome! Can i come? Canicani?" the excited pegasi squealed out
Twilight let out a short shout, but cut it short as she soon realised who she was dealing with, Fluttershy on the other hand had immediately flown straight back up her tree and was shaking constantly from it.
"Rainbow! Why do you have to sneak up on us like that? you nearly scared Fluttershy to death!" motioning to the shaking pegasi in the tree.
"Oh come on Twilight, I'm sorry alright? I'm just excited about this treasure hunt!"
"Rainbow, it not a treasure hunt, we just need to go speak with these animals that wont listen to Fluttershy for some reason, OK?"
"Fine" was the response from a now grumpy pegasi.
"Anyway, Fluttershy, would you be so kind as to show us this map of yours, I'm rather excited to see it."
"Oh, ok i guess, so" Fluttershy muttered as she floated down from the tree "its just in my house, come on, ill show you" and with that she turned and started walking back to her little cottage.