//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: The Equestria Girls meet the Disney Princesses 
// by Brian Sheil 
//------------------------------//

After walking for a little bit, the girls stopped to enjoy the atmosphere.
“Don’t you just love the looks of this forest?” Fluttershy asked her friends.
“Indeed, darling.” Rarity answered. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
“I usually like to relax in my apartment.” Sunset added. “But, I like it out here. Kind of reminds me of the trees at Applejack’s home.”
“I was just gonna say that.” Applejack said. “Forests like this DO remind me of Sweet Apple Acres.”
The girls made their way to a clearing. Then, a squirrel came to them.
“Hi, little squirrel.” Pinkie Pie greeted. “Came to say hello?”
Rainbow Dash gave a devious look. “I don’t think squirrels come to say hello to you, Pinks.”
The squirrel came to the group. But, instead of Pinkie, it came to Fluttershy.
“Aw.” Fluttershy cooed. “You’re so adorable.”
Then, a baby deer walked over to the group. Everyone watched as Fluttershy started petting the deer.
“Animals sure come to you.” Sunset figured. “Don’t they, Fluttershy?”
“I can’t help it.” Fluttershy responded. “Sometimes animals come to me because they know I wouldn’t harm them.”
“I see somebody else who’s an animal lover.” Twilight stated.
“Who could that be, Twilight?”
Twilight Sparkle pointed to a wanderer walking their way. It was a sweet woman with short black hair. The lady wore a blue top, a long yellow skirt, flowing red cape, and a red bow on her head.
Fluttershy sees the woman and feels joy inside. “Oh my. It’s Snow White!”
Sunset Shimmer was impressed with this maiden. “Wow. She looks so pretty. Even I think she’s beautiful.”
Just then, a sweet voice answered Sunset’s comment. “Thank you.”
Everyone noticed Snow White standing next to them. Sunset Shimmer was shocked, and was starting to shake.
“No need to panic.” Snow White said to Sunset. “It’s okay for someone like you to think I’m beautiful.”
“I guess I got a little nervous meeting you.” Sunset responded.
“I’m happy to meet new people, Sunset Shimmer.”
Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened. Rainbow Dash turned to the shocked party girl. “If Cinderella, Mulan, Tiana, and those other princesses know who we are, Pinkie, it’s no surprise Snow White does too.”
Snow White then talks to the nature lover. “Hello, Fluttershy.”
“Oh.” Fluttershy replied nervously. “Hello, Snow White.”
“I spotted you talking to the squirrel and baby deer earlier. It’s nice to meet a fellow animal lover.”
Fluttershy breathed in a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
Applejack started to get nervous. Rarity noticed. “What’s wrong, darling? You’re sweating up a storm.”
“Well, Rarity,” Applejack informed, “being from a farm that grows apples, I’m afraid Snow White may not want to get along with me.”
“Why is that, dear?” Rarity wondered.
“Snow White was almost done in by a poison apple. If she knows about me, she would be very upset.”
“That’s not true, Applejack.” Snow White said as she approached the farm girl. “I know you’re part of a family that has an apple farm.”
“And, that doesn’t bother you?”
“No. I know you and your family grow your apples nice and healthy. But, after what my stepmother tried to do, I haven’t looked at apples the same way again.”
“That would be Queen Grimhilde. Right?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Queen Grimhilde?” Rainbow Dash yelped. “As in the Evil Queen?”
“That’s her, Dashie.”
“Pinkie Pie is right, Rainbow Dash.” Snow White replied. “The Evil Queen prepared that poison apple after disguising herself as a beggar woman.”
“Why would Queen Grimhilde try to destroy you, Snow White?” Twilight asked.
“Probably she was jealous of me.”
“Why was she jealous anyway?” Sunset Shimmer wondered.
“I can understand why.” Fluttershy answered. “Queen Grimhilde sees that Snow White was prettier than she was.”
“Also,” Twilight Sparkle added, “Snow White is also kind to others and very generous.”
“You’re right, Twilight Sparkle.” Snow White replied. “Being kind and generous is not in the nature of my stepmother.”
“Thank goodness for the seven dwarfs.” Pinkie Pie cheered. “They were there for you.”
“I agree with that.”
The girls walk along the woods with Snow White leading the way.
“Walking through these woods must take you back.” Applejack figured. “Doesn’t it, Snow White.”
“It does, Applejack.” Snow White answered. “It reminds me of the time when the forest animals accompanied me when I got lost.”
“Until you came to the cottage of the seven dwarfs.” Rainbow Dash added.
“You’re right, Rainbow Dash. At first I thought they were orphans. After I cleaned the house and their dishes I fell asleep.”
“I’ll bet Grumpy, Doc, and the rest of them were surprised by the results. And, of you too.”
“They sure were.”
When the travelers came to a clearing, they stopped to rest.
“Those dwarfs work hard in their diamond mine. Don’t they?” Sunset asked.
“They sure do, Sunset.” Snow White. “But, that’s no excuse not to clean up after themselves.”
“Sounds like Snow White reminds me of you, Flutters.” Dash said to Fluttershy.
“Really?” Fluttershy wondered. “Why?”
“She’s sweet and innocent. But, not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.”
Snow White smiled at Rainbow Dash’s comment. “You are correct, Rainbow Dash. Don’t let my gentle nature fool you.”
“Do the dwarfs really wash their hands after coming back from the mine?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Yes they do, Twilight.” Snow White answered. “They’re were a little unsure about it at first. Especially Grumpy. But, they got used to it after a while.”
“She’s right, darlings.” Rarity stated. “Many folks should wash their hands after digging in the dirt.”
Snow White applauded Rarity’s comment. Then, Snow White pointed to a field of tall grass.
“Through that field is where you’re going next.” Snow White informed. “It’s a different environment than this. I think you’ll be surprised.”
“After exploring castles, swimming underwater, and going through forests,” Sunset figured, “nothing can surprise us.”
“Don’t be so sure, Sunset Shimmer. Bye.”
With a wave, Snow White heads out, probably back to her own home. This leaves the Rainbooms puzzled.
“Hoo-wee!” Applejack shouted. “Make ya wonder who we’ll meet next.”
“I’m with you, AJ.” Dash replied. “I can hardly wait.”