Prologue
“You have to keep running,” Sweetie Belle said. “They’re going to find us if you don’t keep up.”
“Yeah, we’re almost to the spot,” Apple Bloom said as she looked down at Scootaloo with urgent eyes.
Scootaloo tried to keep up with the two, full grown mares, but her small filly legs could only move so fast. Her heart raced within her chest, and a great tightness had taken hold of her limbs.
A green aura of magic surrounded Scootaloo, and she was lifted onto Apple Bloom’s back.
“Hold on tight, Sugar Cube,” Apple Bloom said.
Once Scootalo had latched on to her mentor’s neck, the yellow earth pony ran all the harder. Sweetie Belle easily kept pace with Apple Bloom, and she even appeared elegant in her gait as well.
The Everfree Forest lorded all around them, and the darkness of the sky had made the black trees even more ominous.
Scootaloo closed her eyes as moisture started to fill the bottom rims of her eye sockets.
Distant voices called out, but they didn’t belong to ponies. Just hearing them sent violent shivers down her back. Her little wings flapped about, and she whimpered.
“Don’t be scared, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle said. “Soon, you’re going to be free of all this. Just hold on a little longer.”
Scootaloo’s stomach swirled around angrily. So it was finally going to happen. A small part of the orange pegasus longed for an escape, and yet, she hated what she had to do.
Apple Bloom started to slow down, so Scootaloo opened her eyes.
They had come to a secluded area with a large rock face to the right side, a small lake to the left, and lots of trees all around. Thick branches with umber colored leaves hide the night’s sky. When the monsters arrived in Equestria, everything about their world had started to change. The land was dying in many spots, and the Everfree Forest was one such place.
Apple Bloom stopped by the lake, and her breaths came in short gasps. “Do you … think you can do it here? I have a bad feeling that we won’t be alone for very long. I don’t even think we can make it to the spot either.”
Sweetie Belle sighed. “I think you’re right.” She placed her back to the rock face, and her horn started to glow. “I’ll focus on the spell, you make sure Scoots is ready.” The White mare switched her attention to Scootaloo for a moment. “You’re going to have to be brave for us, okay?”
Tears welled in Scootaloo’s eyes. “I know. I just wished I didn’t have to do it alone.”
“We went through this before,” Apple Bloom replied as she brushed her hoof against Scootaloo’s cheek. “You’re not going to be alone.”
The sounds of shouting started to get a little louder. Scootaloo’s extremities felt icy, and tears cascaded down her cheeks.
She said, “I know, but you two won’t be there. And my mom won’t be there, and S-”
“That’s enough,” Apple bloom said. “You have to be brave, otherwise we’re all done for. Now are you ready or ain’t you?”
Scootaloo huffed a little. “I’m ready.”
“What are the rules?” Apple Bloom asked.
Flashes of light flickered in the depths of the dark forest. The voices were getting closer.
Scootaloo said, “Don’t tell any pony about who I really am and where I’m from. Make as many friends as possible. When I get my cutie mark, go to the Princess of Friendship and tell her about…” Scootaloo paused. “Them”
A green portal of energy appeared in front of Sweetie Belle, and as soon as it did, the shouts from the monsters got even more excited.
“You have to go now, Scoots.” Sweetie Belle reached down and hugged the small filly. “We love you very much, and we’re very proud of you.”
Apple Bloom hugged her next. “Just be yourself, and you’ll make a ton of friends.” Her eyes became wet. “And you make sure you don’t eat too many sweets. You better have a balanced diet, you hear?”
Scootaloo nodded. “I understand.”
The older yellow mare ushered Scootaloo closer to the portal. “ Now git! You have work to do.”
“B-but what about you two?” Scootaloo asked.
A tear trailed down Sweetie Belle’s cheek. “Apple Bloom and I are going to be fine, somehow. Now go. Never forget the mission.”
Scootaloo whimpered as she started to backstop into the portal. “I love you two. I’ll fix this, I Pinkie Promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly,-”
Apple bloom and Sweetie Belle finished the line together. “Stick a cupcake in my eye.” They touched their eyes with their hoofs.
The shouts were very close now.
Scootaloo whimpered one more time before she stepped into the portal completely. Everything became too bright to see.
***
Apple Bloom let out a brief sigh as she watched the portal wink out of existence.
“There she goes,” Apple bloom said.
Now that their little filly was gone, she didn’t have to hold back anymore. Her eyes flushed so much fluid, that the dirt at her hooves nearly became mud.
Sweetie Belle nuzzled Apple Bloom’s face with her snout. Her face was wet too.
“We did the best we could for her. This is her best chance,” Sweetie Belle said as she sniffled.
“I know,” Apple Bloom replied. “But why does it hurt so much?”
Sweetie Belle met her eyes. “Because we’re not going to be there to be with her. Not us, anyway.” She nuzzled Apple
Bloom’s snout again. “We did a great job raising her.”
The shouts from the monsters were within four or five hundred feet. It wouldn’t be long now.
“I’m scared,” Apple bloom said.
“Me too.” Sweetie Belle leaned in and kissed Apple bloom’s lips. “Let’s just look at one another until it’s over, okay?”
A strange and deep voice called out. “There they are! Get them! Use the stunners!”
Apple Bloom whispered, “I love you.”
“I love yo-” A slender rod impaled Sweetie Belle’s shoulder, and brilliant crackles of lightning fed from the rod into Sweetie Belle’s body.
The white unicorn screamed, but she never took her eyes away from Apple Bloom’s.
A second later, a rod impaled Apple Bloom’s flank.
Coming soon … Chapter 1- Meeting again for the First time.