//------------------------------// // Scroll XI // Story: Path of the Six Ponies // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// It had been a few hours since the group had left the Rainbow Factory and they were making their way to Everfree Forest. Rock Lee and Rarity had since rejoined them and Rock Lee seemed a little freaked out, but he refused to talk about what had happened. When they reached the edge of the forest, they saw a little cabin with a shed in the back and a garden on the side of it. "This is my house." Fluttershy shyly stated. "It is also where I take care of all the forest animals that come to me if they are hungry or if they are injured." Just then, a bunny opened the door. It stared right at Kakashi and angrily shook its paw at him before slamming the door, making Kakashi confused. "What was that all about?" He asked. "Oh, that is just my pet bunny Angel. He acts that way when he meets somepony new, despite his behavior, he really is nice." Suddenly, a Pegasus which nopony, not even the princesses, recognized smashed into Fluttershy's shed. "Why don't you all go inside? I will have Angel make you all some hot tea, I will join you when I am finished tending to that poor pegasus since It looked like it had a broken wing." They all did as they were told and entered the cottage, prompting Angel to start swearing until Luna managed to calm him down. Fluttershy rejoined them as Angel was serving the tea and explained that both of the mysterious pegasus' wings and tail were broken and had severe internal injuries resulting in its death, but the ninja, and Applejack, could tell she was lying. None of them wanted to call it out though because of her Renningan and as they were talking, a strange zebra the ponies knew walked through the door. "Hello my dear Fluttershy, do you mind if I stop by?" "Hello Zecora, and no I don't mind, come on in." Fluttershy replied as Zecora joined them for tea. "Thank you for this tea my dear, but I do have a reason for stopping here. There is a disturbance you see, and it's messing with the creatures of Everfree. This visit is not to be formal, for the animals are not acting normal. I have to move as quick as Dash and try to find my secret stash. I hope that I can whip up a potion that will end this dreadful commotion." "Is the only way Zecora talks is in rhymes?" Ino whispered to Celestia. "That is correct." The solar sister whispered back with a subtle nod. "I am sorry Zecora," Luna said, "but not even your greatest spells can help." She then explained the whole situation and Zecora looked sad that she couldn't solve the problem. "So if what you are saying is true, there is absolutely nothing I can do. Since it seems like Everfree is lost, I am going to join the cause. I am not going to stop until we've succeeded and this great evil has been defeated." This made everypony happy. "Well, there are two places left, Sweet Apple Acres and Canterlot. Let's get going so we can further our training afterwards." Twilight said trying to get the tour over with as fast as possible. "Good plan, on to my farm" AJ said as she went out the door. After a few hours, and a break for supper, they arrived at the farm. After meeting AJ's brother and sister, she gave them a tour. The shinobi were shocked at the size of it since it stretched as far as the eye could see, acres and acres of Apple trees ready to be harvested. "Wow... This place is HUGE! This would be a great spot of our training." Tsunade remarked. "I giv' ya'll permission to do so" AJ replied. "Heck, could bring 'n da apple harvest at da same time. That is a win win, but I don't need any help." "You sure Apples? I mean, that is A LOT to harvest..." Sakura asked. AJ got mad. "I SAID I DONT NEED ANY STINKIN' HELP, I BUCKING GOT IT!" "Ok, ok, no need to get mad, all I wanted was to offer my help." Sakura replied with a tint of hurt in her voice. "I know dat, but when I say I don't need help, I don't need help. Are we clear?" "Yes Applejack we are, I will not ask again." "Good, now if y'all excuse me, I got a harvest to bring 'n." She then trotted off into the fields leaving the others to train, which was hard to do while watching AJ bring in the harvest in record time due to her using Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. She cleared the whole farm in just two and a half hours, then joined the others for her own training. Pinkie trolled Dash by using a Harlem Jutsu, making Dash turn blood red and faint on the spot and making the others laugh before resuming their activities. By the time they finished, it was dark and they decided to camp out since they were all too exhausted to go back home and, after Pinkie made everypony s'mores, they all fell into a deep sleep.