//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 — Deep In Everfree // Story: The Hero of My Story // by maxisscrewed //------------------------------// "Is everyone ready?" "What is the meaning of this," Rarity dramatically whined as her rain boots became mucky with ankle deep mud. The rain poured down on the outskirts of the woods, but the girls were sheltered by the treetop canopies, as well as the black blanket that covered the foreigners and the light yellow, butterfly-decorated cloak that covered Fluttershy. "You’ll see." They began to walk, and Fluttershy used a match to light her torch. She held it up over her head and it audibly lit the way, and when they were about ten feet into the deep woods, she began to sing a song. Every once in a while, Fluttershy would sing a sweet little tune as she held the torch above her head. She had advised for Rarity, Sunset, and Pinkie Pie to hide under a black blanket to help them blend in, but she wore her normal clothes that she had just returned from her date in. "What is wrong with her," Rarity hissed softly, and Sunset shook her head. "I don’t know." "She thinks she’s some princess in a tower or something! Why is she singing?" Fluttershy sang her song once again and a little bird landed on her shoulder. It was plump and cute, and it pulled at her ear softly. She stopped in front of a shrub and continued to sing, and Rarity nearly shrieked as a bear trotted out of the woods. Wolves approached Fluttershy, and snakes slithered around her legs. She smiled and let the bear lick her hair, and she scratched behind his ear. "I’ve brought friends," she explained to a black wolf that slowly approached her. "They seek answers." The wolf shot a look at the three that slowly uncovered themselves, and he nodded softly. Behind the bush was a red glow, and she spread the brambles apart to reveal a small, beautiful, red and yellow sunshine inside of the tree. The girls all gasped as it’s leaves began to glisten and glow, and Fluttershy pointed to the sun. "That’s the Daydream?" "Yes," she explained. "What’s it’s story?" "Long ago, there was a prince of the moon—" "And a princess of the sun, I know the story," Sunset chuckled, and Fluttershy nodded. "Before Artemis was banished to the moon, he and Celestia would play under this very tree. They would play until dark and they had to go home, but this was their tree. Their legacy was left here, Sunset. You are connected by spirit to them. That’s why Artemis is kind to you," she whispered, "because he understands your pain." Sunset’s hands began to feel tingly and she slowly held them out to the stone. It warmed her hands and she smiled as it was loosened from the tree and came into her hands. She widened her eyes as gold began to swirl around the crown, and it created a tiara around itself. The wolf then howled, and the animals appeared to cheer. "What’s wrong with them?" "You are bound to it. You are the one that freed the stone," Fluttershy whispered. "Well, I’m not King Arthur," Sunset laughed, but Fluttershy shook her head. The girl grabbed a stick from the forest floor and lit another torch, passing it along to Sunset. "Go," Fluttershy explained. "What?" "I said go," Fluttershy surprisingly screamed. "Let nobody know you have it! Hide it away!" Sunset shook her head before running, and the crown made her hands feel weightless. When she was out of the woods, she nearly dropped it into a mud puddle as she went along, but she placed it on her head so she could use her arms for balance. Then, unexpectedly, a pair of dark, leathery wings grew from her back and lifted her into the sky. She screamed as they involuntary carried her over the town, but they eased her down to her open garage, right in front of the punching bag. Sunset quickly removed the crown and rushed into the house, slamming the door as she began to sob. "I knew I was the villain," she whimpered, before trudging to her bedroom with tear-stained cheeks. "Sunset Shimmer, are you awake?" Sunset jumped at the gentle hand on her back, and Fluttershy jumped as well with a squeak. "Yeah," she groggily groaned, sitting up. This time, not just three girls were in her room—six were there. Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn’t look too happy to be awake, but nevertheless, everyone except for Twilight was there. "I know some of you are angry at her," Rarity began, "but she has something to show you. Pinkie, what did you see through your window at night?" "It was Sunset Shimmer and she had these big demon wings like she did at last year’s prom!" "Look," Sunset began, scooping up the tiara, "Fluttershy took us to Everfree for some answers last night, and she told me to protect the tiara! I put it on my head and turned back into a, uh, she-demon." The girls all stared at her in confusion, and Sunset Shimmer looked down at the crown. "I’ll show you." She gently placed the crown atop her head and the windows blew open, making Fluttershy cower under Rainbow Dash’s arm. The girls all stared in fear, but instead of demon wings, two light, shimmery wings emerged from her shoulder blades. A white beam began to form around her forehead, and she reached up, and threw the tiara down to the floor. Sunset Shimmer fell back down on her bed and grumbled, holding her head. "See! It changes me!" "You were not just a demon," Rainbow Dash stuttered, and Sunset Shimmer shook her head. "I don’t understand." "You were lovely," Rarity whispered. Sunset looked up at the crown and glared. "That isn’t possible."