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// Prologue (part 3): WHAT HAPPENED HERE!?! (Bow and Quiver continued) 
// Story: Apple Sleep Experiment (Expanded) 
// by SirVindicator 
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It was just me and Applejack and it was a stalemate. Despite my best efforts to try and subdue her, nothing was working. I figured it was because of the lack of sleep and the insanity that she couldn't feel any pain, on the contrary she laughed as if my arrows going through her skin was tickling her. My arrows also had a tough time penetrating her skin. Earth Ponies are a lot stronger than creatures give them credit for and with all the years of farm work her skin was especially tough. It was honestly rather terrifying, especially since I had a 60 lb composite bow and was pulling beyond its mass. I had already fired five shots into her chest.

She shouted mocking me, "Is that really the best that you can do, pegasus, the Apples have been through much worse; a few big mosquito bites are nothing?"

Then I noticed something that I should have noticed right off the bat, but fear would cause me to think a little bit more irrationally. Her back legs! Applejack's back legs are still broken with some type of mysterious fluid leaking out the back of them. She continued to get closer and closer to me. I had to start flying NOW and switch to my hooves to fire the bow. If I could only pin her back legs down, then she would be stuck and then I could get away without risking something hitting me in the back of my head and sending me to the ground. Even now she was trying to hit me with gardening tools and she got pretty close one time almost braining me with a trowel. Earth pony strength gave her a surprisingly good throwing hoof. I had seven arrows left and I had to make them count.

I relaxed myself and focused. With some good aim and good timing I was able to shoot a cluster of three arrows into each of her back legs, effectively pinning them to the ground. I was now out of arrows, missing the first shot of seven, but at least I had managed to slow her down for now. With that taken care of I decide to turn my back and fly away. I kept flying for what felt like forever and then when I was sure that she wasn't following me, I landed. I was back in Ponyville and the whole town look deserted and then I remembered the order by Princess Twilight.

I then examined myself to see if she had gotten a good hit in on me and she kind of did. She had managed to hit the upper part of my back hoof with another trowel. I pulled out the trowel, clenching my teeth in pain. I didn't have any serious injuries, but I needed to address the wound. Fortunately for me I was prepared as I kept a few bandages in my quiver are for such occasions, wherever ponies or creatures were injured. I bandaged myself up and headed towards Fluttershy's cottage and there waiting for me were a few concerned faces and a worried, but angry looking falcon. It was Quiver perched on Fluttershy's back, his right wing was bandaged.

I said nonchalantly, "So, I see that Quiver made it here in one piece and I'm guessing that he told you all about the situation."

Quiver squawked angrily at me and I really didn't need Fluttershy to translate what he was saying. Regardless of my intentions I still could have handled things better.

Starlight then said, "About how Twilight never told me that ponies were disappearing while I was away or how you acted recklessly and nearly got killed by Applejack or how one of the ponies that helped me learn more about friendship is now a murderer." Her voice rising with each point that she made.

Fluttershy then added, "You really worried Quiver and he even injured his wing trying to get here. The poor guy was all alone out in the heat. He really was worried for you, Bright Bow."

The stallion from earlier then walked away. Whatever was coming next he wanted no part of it. After getting some time to lick my wounds we all headed for Twilight's Castle, Quiver perching himself on my back. I was always somewhat impressed by Twilight's Castle, whether it was how it was made or how big it was on the inside more so than the outside or how it managed to look so beautiful and yet so ugly at the same time. After several minutes of wandering in the castle we finally got to the main meeting room of the mane six...er seven counting Spike. And there was the Cutie map as well which I was always told about but never got to see until now. Different books were scattered across the Cutie map. Twilight was flustered and had a combination of emotions on her face. I wonder if she would notice me backing out of the room? I tried taking several steps back while everyone else went to gather around the Cutie map. Quiver dug his talons in my back in disapproval.

"Where do you think you're going, Bright Bow?" Twilight said, somewhat angrily.

All eyes were fixed on me and I cringed.

"You have some explaining to do."