They ran back down to the path, and Charcoal forced them to stop. Applejack quickly turned around in a hurry "What are we stoppin' here for Charky? We have to get going!"
"Now hold on a minute" Charcoal said "I know you're worried sick about your sister, but we need all the help we could get. Everfree Forest is dangerous, who knows what could happen?" Applejack thought about it for a brief moment, her anxious expression still glued to her face. ”I'll go on ahead towards the forest. I'm sure Fluttershy lives close by. I heard that she knows more about that place more than any other pony."
A sudden realization hit her "Gosh, you're right Charky! But... will you be ok?" she looked at him with concern.
"Me?" he scoffs "I'll be perfectly fine. Now hurry up and get Fluttershy so we can save your sister".
Applejack left with haste towards Fluttershy's house as Charcoal took the only past that led to the forest. Contrary to what he had told Applejack, he was actually scared shitless about going in there alone. The trees hung high over his head and an ominous air lingered in between its branches. But he had to do it. For her, her sister, and to clear up any bad tidings between him and Big Mac.
"Ok Charcoal, you can do this" he said to himself, hearing the sounds of the various creatures that inhabit the dark, intimidating forest. Charcoal trots in cautiously, looking around and his ears and the hairs of his back standing on edge. Barely any light shone through the thick leaves from the trees above, so he used what little experience in magic he had to at least make his horn glow in the dark. It wasn't much, but it was at least enough to see in front of him.
Applejack rushed down towards Fluttershy's house. She could see her tending to the animals at this late hour. "Fluttershy!" she cried out. Fluttershy jumped a bit at the sudden call and sifted around
"W-who's there?” She turns to see Applejack in a panic. "Oh... hi Applejack. My, you seem petrified. What's the matter?" she said in her calm quiet voice.
"I think AppleBloom went into the forest! Charky went on ahead to look for her and I need yer help!" she quickly said without stammering.
"Oh no. Well it's a good thing you asked me, let me grab a few thing's and we'll be on our way" Fluttershy said, hovering to her house. Applejack stood near the entrance for a few minutes until Fluttershy reappeared with two flashlights and a small saddlebag. She hands one to Applejack and they quickly went into Everfree Forest.
Charcoal had already roamed the forest for about thirty minutes and his nerves were just about shot. Paranoia just about set in when he thought he saw creepy, deformed faces on the trees. He was about to go apeshit until he heard a soft cry close to where he was. He quickly gallops in that direction and sees AppleBloom! It seems that a small tree had gave weigh and fell on her leg. She struggles to break free but she isn't strong enough. She sees Charcoal and her face immediately brightens.
"Mr. Charcoal! You came to save me!" her happiness quickly changed to confusion "How did you know I was down here?”
"I kinda got the gist of what happened when your sister knocked on my door" he said "Now let's try and get you out of here". He gave a forceful push towards the log, but he could barely move it. With a log that big, it seemed it would be nearly impossible to get it off of AppleBloom by himself.
Suddenly, AppleBloom screamed. Charcoal's ears perked up as he quickly turned to see why she was screaming. A set of eyes that had a mixture of sea green and light blue to it peered out at them. More of those eyes began to appear around them, followed by a light hissing sound. Charcoal panicked and used all of his strength to push the log again. It was slowly moving, but it wasn't enough to break AppleBloom free. Just then, a grunt was heard, and the log was easily pushed aside like it was nothing. Charcoal turned to see Big Mac, who was watching the log barreling down the hill behind them.
"You ok AppleBloom?" he said, trying to help up the haplessly scared filly.
"I'm fine" she said a bit coldly, trying to stand but her back leg gave out from the constant pressure that the log had placed on it. Big Mac quickly picked her up and motioned Charcoal to follow him out of the woods.
Applejack and Fluttershy was deep into the forest, still searching for AppleBloom. Fluttershy had her wings tucked in fear. Though she knew plenty about this place, she's still the shy and frightened pony everyone else knows and loves.
"A-are you sure we're c-close to finding AppleB-bloom?" she said, shivering a bit.
"I know we're close. She couldn't have gone too far" Applejack said, passing the light around the area in front of her. The flashlight began to flicker, before dimming and completely shutting off. Fluttershy made a quiet squeal and looked at the flashlight
"I-it seems I forgot to replace the batteries...”
”Aw shoot. How can we look for her now?" Applejack shook the flashlight in hope of it working again. Fluttershy gasped as sounds of hissing could be heard close by. Those same eyes peered at the two mares and surrounded them.
"Looks like we have ourselves some company" Applejack said, standing to attention and keeping her eyes on her surroundings. Fluttershy went full on panic mode.
Applejack could hear sounds of galloping hooves not far off from where they were, and it sounds like they were getting closer. She quickly turned around and prepped herself. When the sound was at its loudest, she threw a fierce buck in that direction and felt the impact, sending whatever she hit a good distance away.
"Ha! Take that you little varmit!" she smirked. She turned to see Big Mac with AppleBloom towed over his shoulder. "Big Mac? What are you doin' here?" she said a bit confused.
"I was lookin' fer AppleBloom, when I saw that Charcoal feller helpin' her out of a fallen log" he said.
"Well where is he now?" Big Mac couldn't help but give a sly grin to tell her who she exactly bucked back into the forest. "Oh Celestia! That's who I hit?!" her face flushed with embarrassment as Charcoal slowly stumbled back with the rest of the group. A clear hoof print was visible on his right cheek.
"Can we get out of here now before these eyeballs stare at us some more" Charcoal slurred, trying to keep his balance.