//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Circumstances // Story: Autumn Scarlet // by IgnitedSage //------------------------------// When will she learn nothing will ever be easy, especially if you started out thinking it was going to be. A long time ago, back when Apple Bloom was a filly, she was told that the Everfree Forest was strictly forbidden and was very dangerous to even approach. That was of course before her older sister Applejack and her friends entered the forest to fight a mythical monster named Nightmare Moon. Since then, the forest was sort of...changing throughout the years. Granted, it was still unwise to go deep into the forest at night or without protection of sorts but it still became less of a threat and more of a fascinating place of enchantment. Apple Bloom still looks back fondly at the days when she would walk to Zecora’s hut and began to master the art of alchemy. But perhaps those days have long past. She heard rumors from her late grandmother that the Everfree Forest changes throughout the years. One generation could have it become tranquil while the next generation seems to deal with nothing but monsters and abnormal beasts bursting out of the forest. Like the seasons, the forest seems to go through a cycle of peace and terror. It is just unfortunate that Apple Bloom happens to enter the forest at the wrong time. The leaves barely made the distinguishable crunching sound that happens when you step on them as Apple Bloom ran down the bump trail that was winding down a small hill. Partly it was because of the recent rain but also was the fact that Apple Bloom was galloping at full speed that her hooves didn’t leave much of an impact as they barely touch the ground. It would be impressive if not for the fact that a fully grown manticore was chasing her down with the full intention of eating her. It was in her carelessness that Apple Bloom forgot to bring anything to ward off a manticore. Now she was paying the price by pushing her body to the absolute limit, which for an Earth pony, is saying something. Ya know, Apple Bloom thought as her body began to burn with pain, if I was back in Ponyville I could so participate in the Running of the Leaves. Maybe even do it solo. Just then the manticore roared loudly behind her, it’s massive body closing the distance between them. Damn it, Apple Bloom! she chided herself. Now is not the time to get your head in the clouds. We have to find a way to outmaneuver the manticore. She spotted another winding path that was hidden in the undergrowth. Immediately, Apple Bloom bolted to the left and leaped over the bushes and fallen logs and landed on the dirt below. It was just in time as the manticore swiped at the place her head was at moments ago. Apple Bloom uses the momentum to carry herself over the zig-zagging path, cutting across the plant's trees. The manticore leaped and bounded to get back in catching up with her. Apple Bloom didn’t look back but instead began jumping down the hill, hoping gravity would help her. It was for a little bit. Apple Bloom was able to gain some distance. She, however, made a mistake by not paying attention as she went to turn and her right front hoof got caught on a hidden root that caused her to trip. Oh no, Apple Bloom realized what would happen next. Suddenly her body was sprung forward and flung down the hill and towards the edge of a cliff. Apple Bloom realized where she was falling to but the momentum was too great. After bouncing three times on the ground, Apple Bloom tumbled off the steep hill and right above a deep ravine. Luckily, Apple Bloom spotted a tree branch sticking out and lunged for it. One of her front hooves managed to snag it and she was able to hang on and stop her body from falling down. The branch creaked and sagged but did not break. Apple Bloom let out a sigh of relief. She was beginning to make her way back to the safety of the high ground when she heard a low growl emitting from above her head. She looked up to see the manticore perching above her. Saliva was dripping down from the monster’s gaping maw. It inched closer to the edge, tensing up for the perfect strike. Apple Bloom was trapped. She either had to move away from the cliff and risk breaking with her weight or she had to get closer to the cliff face and be in the range of the monster’s strike. Apple Bloom gulped, paralyzed with fear. Then the manticore attacked. It didn’t use its body, however, but the large, barbed tail instead. The strike was instant. The barb grazed across Apple Bloom’s shoulder, barely missing her neck which would have been proven fatal. The tail recoiled just as quickly but managed to cut a hairline crack on the main branch as it did so. Apple Bloom felt her grip slipping. Her hooves were just not made to hold onto things. Especially wet, thin tree branches. She realizes she only had one option. Swinging her body with all her weight, Apple Bloom kicked the trunk with one of her hind legs. The force caused the crack to widen and began to splinter. The manticore realized what was happening. It struck again but the time more wildly. The barbed tail hit the main truck instead, causing the entire thing to rip in half. Wood splinters flew everywhere and Apple Bloom felt gravity take hold. Before she could react or do anything, she fell down to the ravine. Eventually, she let out a scream but it was only after she realized how fast she was falling. Her body spun in midair. Wind howling past her. She tumbled and twisted as the bottom came closer. Then one of her hooves was scraping against the rock face. Apple Bloom realized she had to slow down or she would die. Using all her strength, she put her four hooves against the rock wall to slow herself down. Whether it was nearly successful or not was unknown to her for once she began to slow down, her body was suddenly flung away and she tumbled onto a large, dry, tree trunk that was wedged in between the two cliffs for centuries. But alas, she finally stopped. In pain, bleeding from her various cuts, and dizzy from the blood and adrenaline rushing through her body, Apple Bloom groaned as she tried to stand up. Just as luck would have it, one of her legs was either twisted or broken as a sharp pain emitted from her limbs when she tried to move them. Well, this was certainly a mess you’ve gotten into, Apple Bloom, she thought. But at least she was safe from the manticore and nothing else can go wrong. Then the fallen log began to creak and groan. Apple Bloom looked up, fully alert. “No,” she gasped in horror. Then the entire thing shook as one side became loose. “No, no, no,” The wood creaks slightly before the entire thing started to slide down and began to tumble loose, with Apple Bloom still on it. “Oh, COME ON!” Apple Bloom yelled. Apple Bloom closed her eyes as she felt herself plunging deep into the river. The cold water shocked her as she tumbled around in the rapids. Eventually was able to breach the surface and gasped for air. Her best bet was to find a way to get to a small bank and island. But the current was too strong. She tried to move to the edge of the river but each time she did, a wave would knock her against a sharp rock. At this rate, she will drown before she can make it to safety. That thought scared her. She realized that this will be the day she will die. The last day she will ever see her friends or Applejack. A cold, dizziness was gripping her mind. Another dull thought erupted in her mind when she realized that she was poisoned by the manticore. Alone, poisoned, drowning, her body certainly broken, this seems to be the end for Apple Bloom. But a fiery emotion was consuming her. It was telling her these three words: Don’t Give Up. And like that, anger and determination took over. Apple Bloom braced and tense up as she found a small rock breaching the water surface. Using the only limb that seems to be working, her front left leg, she tackled the rock and put it in a vice grip. Then using her mouth and neck, she slowly crawled up the rock and out of the current. It was slow going but Apple Bloom managed to get out of the river. Just then a light was shining above her. She strained her neck as she looked up to see what the light was. A luminous being was hovering above her. Some sort of angelic being? Whatever the case, it was saying something. It was reaching out with a strange appendage of some sort. It seems to be offering help. “Do you need help?” it sang. “Yes,” Apple Bloom managed to groan out. “Then take my hand.” Apple Bloom didn’t know what that meant but did what it wanted. Her hoof touched the luminous being and felt warm light coming across her. Then bliss and nothingness watch over Apple Bloom. Her thoughts before she passed were at least this was a good life. Then she wasn’t there. Apple Bloom woke up with a sudden gasp. For a brief moment, she couldn’t recall what happened to her. Then the entire disaster flooded back into her mind. The manticore, the fall, the river. All the memories and pain from her extrusion came upon her like a shift in temperature. Apple Bloom began to panic. Then she remembered what Applejack told her what she did during her darkest hours. How she had to be calm and remain focused on the task ahead, how she told herself that she will get through this. All she had to do was control her breathing, clear her mind, and think of the one thing that will get her through this. So, that is what Apple Bloom did. Once she got her breathing under control, she then took in her surroundings. Apple Bloom was in a cave of some sort. The cave was much wider than she anticipated. The ceiling was tall enough for a grown dragon to stand up comfortably in without even touching the closest stalactite. Across the cave was a smooth floor of soil and sand that seems to be made over the centuries by a bed of water that once formed over it. Wherever she was, it was massive and most likely hidden underground. Okay, am I in Hell? Apple Bloom thought. She didn’t think that she did anything to deserve that kind of fate. Looking around, she didn’t see any other pony with her. It was just her. Ain’t no other pony in sight, then. Apple Bloom got up. She noticed a large cloak was wrapped all over her body. The silk felt fine and soft. Like very soft. That not even a pony like Rarity would be able to get her hooves on this kind of material. Apple Bloom also felt off. Her balance felt weird. And her hind hooves were aching fiercely. Apple Bloom noticed that right by the spot she woke up was a dying fire. She had concluded that somepony brought her here. But then why would they leave her alone? Apple Bloom continued to go forward, towards the center of the cave. It was then she noticed a light was coming from that direction, light intense enough to illuminate most of the cave. Apple Bloom doubled her pace. She was able to climb over a small hill with a slight slope. Once she reached the crest, she let out a small gasp. In the center of the cave was a small groove with the remains of a lake receded in the crease. Above the lake, however, were small balls of lights that hover over the surface like fireflies or a cluster of stars. They were beautiful and mesmerizing. So much so, that Apple Bloom didn’t look where she was trotting to and ended up tripping again and sliding softy down the bottom. Apple Bloom managed to tangle herself in the giant cloak as she tried to get up. It seems that her body was just uncoordinated and just not listening to her. She let out an annoyed groan as she tangled her legs from the unyielding fabric. Dirty, sore, and lost as ever, Apple Bloom had enough of this confusion. She was about to let out a scream of frustration when a voice called out. “Hey! You are awake!” Apple Bloom paused, not entirely sure she heard a voice to begin with. “Hello?” she said to the emptiness that surrounded her. Suddenly one of the balls of light came flying down, shimmering with a new glow. Apple Bloom covered her head. She feared that ball of light was going to hit her. Instead, the small ball of light came to a stop and began to float just at eye level. Apple Bloom opens her eyes slightly to see that this was a weird creature. She could see small, glassy wings like that of a dragonfly. She could also see multiple appendages were sticking out. But it wasn’t the usual four that Apple Bloom could deal with but about eight. The skin was also green and had the texture of flora. Well, that is what she could see. The creature was emitting a very bright light from the center of its body that makes it hard to get much of the details. Apple Bloom had to shield her eyes to prevent herself from being blind. The closest thing she could think of that this resembles was a parasprite. “So glad you are awake, I sense that my nats are working correctly and that you will be in your new form and be in primary condition in approximately 380 seconds.” The small voice said, emitting from the strange creature. “Who the hay are you?” Apple Bloom said, trying to avoid looking directly at the creature. “Oh, how rude of me, I guess introductions are in order.” the creature chirped. “My registered name is Echo Sigma-4. You can call me Eos if you prefer. My previous models will sadly not be able to protest if you go by our unified name. My masters were unable to keep them alive long enough during our journey. My sources on conversation protocol indicated that I have been speaking about myself without giving you a chance to let you speak. So, I inquired, what is your name and species?” Apple Bloom was slightly taken aback before she answered. “Uh, Apple Bloom,” she told the creature. “Response is acceptable,” it said monotony. “Greetings ‘Uh, Apple Bloom’.” “Wait, no,” Apple Bloom corrected it. “My name is just Apple Bloom.” “Response is acceptable,” it said again. “Greetings ‘Just Apple Bloom’.” “No!” Apple Bloom yelled, getting slightly annoyed. “My name is Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom! Apple! Bloom!” “Response is acceptable,” it repeated once more. “Greetings, Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom just gave up and planted her face into the dirt. Eos titled its entire body slightly. “My internal sources indicate that your name is Apple Bloom, singular,” it said. “Is this correct?” “Yes,” Apple Bloom groaned, her voice muffled by the dirt. “I do apologize,” Eos said, voice having a slight hint of remorse. “My masters made me to be the best in communications and culture protocol but some things do slip by my response mechanisms. But I do welcome you to our journey and hope that I can be of any helpful guidance to you until the journey is complete.” Apple Bloom jumped up suddenly, removing her face from the ground. A small shiver came over her body. Suddenly, she felt cold. It occurred to her that this being may have saved her but also took here to Celestia’s knows where. As far as she is concerned, she has been trapped here for days or maybe even weeks. She had to get back home. She turned to Eos. “Where am I?” “Your inquiry is unspecified,” Eos replied. “Our current coordinates suggest that we are in Quadrant Three, section 81-” “I meant this cave!” Apple Bloom holds the cloak tightly around her body for some reason. “You took me here. You rescued me, correct?” “That is correct,” Eos said. “Your body was in risk of premature expiration and had to act at the moment to ensure that you had lived. It was also necessary as it gave me the only opportunity to complete my latest directive for this journey.” “So, where are we from where you took’en me from?” Apple Bloom asked. “I have to get back to Ponyville as soon as possible.” “This location is approximately nine kilometers southeast from our original meeting point and about twenty-five meters below the surface of the planet. The closest civilization is determined to be thirteen kilometers to the north, sitting on the edge of the forest’s boundary-” “That’s Ponyville!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “I need to get there right now!” “I believe that is unwise, though,” Eos’s body came down a notch. “Your body is currently in the undertakes of a biological remaking that requires minimum strain on your physical self. It requires that I keep you monitored and prevent you from doing unnecessary damaging tasks on your physical form until an hour after the transformation. Once that is done, I will evaluate and test your body to see that it is fit for extensive activities and able to leave sanctuary zone without a proper escort.” There was a slight pause. Then Apple Bloom responded. “What do you mean ‘after the transformation’?” There was a slight pause. “Oh, dear” Eos seems to shy away from responding. Its body looked away from Apple Bloom and down to the ground. If Apple Bloom had to guess, it realized that it made a mistake and didn’t know how to correct it. Now it was giving a distinct feeling of shame and guilt. If Apple Bloom didn’t know that this thing involved had done something to her, she would feel sad for it. But this admission of guilt had given Apple Bloom a clear sign that something was going on and she intends to find out. Now. “What did you do to me?” Apple Bloom growled. Eos backed away slightly. “I’m ask’n what you do to me,” Apple Bloom stepped towards the creature of light. “So, you better spill it. What did you do to me?” “Any response I give will not result in a positive manner that-” Eos begin “No response will result in my hoof being shoved into your so-called face,” Apple Bloom cut Eos off. “Now I think I’m entitled to some answers, so you best be ‘splaining.” Eos hesitated, looking to the various directions that surround them. Realizing that there was no out for this, Eos finally begin to come clean and began to explain. “I never intended to have done this spell-program this way,” Eos told her. “It was always meant to be a voluntary measure, to ensure that there was no risk or danger to my masters and the safety of the crew. Desperate times call for desperate measures, however, and I was given one final directive to ensure that the journey wasn’t in vain. That my masters would be able to recover even after such a terrible blow.” “You masters?” Apple Bloom inquired. “Just who are your ‘masters’?” “They are known officially as Homo Sapiens,” Eos chirped. “They also have been called the Patrons of the Sol System, Scourges of Misery, The Mysterious Ones, The Lost Children, dead scum, stupid apes, and various other names. They prefer to be called human beings or humans at least. They are the ones that created me.” “Created you?” “Well, they gather the materials necessary to build me, grew my needed organs and tissues, and infuse my body with the gift of magic and life along with integrating my cortex with the required knowledge for me to perform all my basic tasks. So, yeah, they created me.” Apple Bloom was taken aback. “I may not be the sharpest tool in the barn,” she stated. “But from my understanding, creating life with magic is one of the hardest spells to do. Not even Princess Twilight was able to keep something like that going for very long. Ain’t nopony able to do such a thing.” Eos, in Apple Bloom’s surprise, let out a small chuckle. Or something creepily similar to one. “Well, from my master’s initial scanning of your planet and species, that is to be expected,” it explained to her. “They have estimated that your specie’s knowledge and abilities have only ranked you about 3.6 on a scale of 7. Yes, you are able to tap into and manipulate the quantum magic field for various tasks including weather control, telekinesis, and plant harvesting. But my masters didn’t see anything extraordinary that would tip the scales to an advanced civilization that would require additional contact. In fact, that is why they chose to hide away here on your planet. Your species and the planet was beneath everyone else’s notice.” Apple Bloom was about to ask something when she felt a sharp pain in her lower barrel region. She winced involuntarily. For a moment she felt like she was going to puke. A wave of nausea came over her causing her senses to become dull. Then things seem to return to normal. Except something was off with her eyesight. And her hearing. They seem to be reduced a little bit. “Sorry about that,” Eos said once again. “My biological profile suggests that your species do have a slight advantage in the departments of sight, hearing, smell, and most of the other sensors that provided the data for the body’s perception.” Apple Bloom suddenly put two and two together. She turned to Eos with a sharp glare. “You’re transforming into the species of your masters?” she hissed. “You’re turning me into a hu-mon? What for?” Eos once more hesitated before replying. “It was one of the final directives I was given,” Eos answered. “It was also the only solution I had available. When I came across you in the river, my latest scan indicated that you had high levels of neurotoxins in your bloodstream and that many of your organs were highly infected. Along with the initial trauma you’ve sustained, your body was severely damaged from your recent exertion. My nas are working endlessly to undo the damage you’ve had sustain but to prevent doing permanent damage I need a perfect biological layout of the subject’s species before I can do a complete healing spell. The only perfect biological layout I have right now is that of a human.” “So, you figured just to transform me into a human without telling me why or trying to find a way to heal my full body?” “Again, this is not how I normally would have preceded.” Eos elevated to a position out of Apple Bloom’s reach. “But my final directive was very clear and circumvent all other protocols I was given. I had to find a sapient being who would be able to carry out the rest of the journey and was able to guard my master’s most prized possession from any danger. You happen to come across my safety perimeter when you were dying and you happen to be a perfect match for the requirements of the transformation spell. As my masters would say, I killed two birds with one stone. Or was it two stones with a bird. Maybe it was killed one-two with a bird stone. No, I think it was killed one stone bird with a two.” Apple Bloom felt anger rising inside her. You know, she didn’t ask for much. Sure, she may have been a bit rotten when she was a filly, always begging for a cutie mark and doing the occasional prank or two. And sure, she and her friends went on an adventure and got in a wee bit of trouble now and then. But now that she has grown out of that phase and started to move on with her life, she hopes to keep everything normal and settle down. No more crazy adventures for her and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Yet of all the times she could be in such a dilemma, fate had to pick now to thrust into a mess like this. Apple Bloom wanted to take her anger out on something and there was only one option. The option of this annoying creature who is doing this to her. “Hey, Eos,” Apple Bloom said in a sing-song voice. “I have a question.” “Ooh, an inquiry” the creature came down from its spot, unaware of the fiery look Apple Bloom was giving it. “What is the question you have, Miss Apple Bloom? Do you wish to learn more about your current transformation status?” “No, my question is something different” Apple Bloom said quietly. Then she proceeded to yell at the top of her lungs. “WHAT THE HELL WERE Y'ALL THINKING?” The last words echoed loudly across the cave. Apple Bloom could hear her voice repeating about six times despite her reduced hearing. Once the words stop echoing, a stunned silence came upon the cave. It seems both of them were holding their breath for a solid minute. Then a new noise emerged. A low growling noise that seems to be coming from above. “Uh, Eos” Apple Bloom whispered. “What is that?” “Scanning the interior of the cave semantics,” Eos began to hum and then clicked. “It appears your latest vocal disturbances have alerted something. We are not alone. ” Just then a large figure landed nearby on the ground, causing the earth to quake. A low growl was emitted as the monster began to approach them. Apple Bloom got a closer look and realized that it was the freaking manticore! Only there was something off about it. Parts of its skin were covered in a metal coat And there was this giant red eye on the top of the monster’s head. The movements of the creature were also tainted. Like it couldn’t utilize it’s movement fully because it was either numb or in pain. It didn’t matter because the manticore was approaching them, ready to lunge at the delicious pony in the cave. “Follow me!” Eos said. Apple Bloom had no choice but to do so. Without hesitation, she galloped down after him. The back of her mind realized that there was something wrong with her movement. Her hoofbeats were off. And it was getting more painful to keep doing this speed. But Apple Bloom paid no attention to this changing development. Right now, she put all her focus on chasing the weird fay creature to a safe place. Eos began leading her to the center of the cave, along the shoreline of the lake. A loud roar erupted from the manticore. It echoed all over the cave, causing the sound to sound terrifying by tenfold. Apple Bloom prayed to the heavens and stars above that something will save her. The manticore started to give chase and it will be on top of the handicapped pony in mere moments. Suddenly Eos veered to the left sharply. At first, Apple Bloom thought he was flying above the lake and didn’t consider that she couldn't swim. But once she looked at the path, she saw that Eos was following an isthmus that cut across the body of water. Apple Bloom veered her body to this path and not at a moment too soon. The manticore struck the ground behind her, causing chunks of dirt and gravel to fly against the pony’s skin. Apple Bloom doubled her pace despite the protest of her body. She looked ahead and saw the destination ahead. Rising above the cave floor was a large structure that towered over the lake. The thing was shaped like a pyramid but with various shapes surrounding the base. The entire outside was made a lustrous material that seems to be a combination of metal and glass. It gave off a sense of power and fear. Apple Bloom felt a sense of foreboding as she looked at it. It looked...wrong. Like it shouldn’t be here. Nevertheless, if it was between taking cover in this place or facing the manticore, Apple Bloom will take her chances in the strange building. “Hurry!” Eos called out. “I wouldn’t have much time to keep the doorway open.” Apple Bloom pushed herself to run the remaining distance. She kept nearly tripping on the giant cloak that was wrapped around her body. But she couldn’t stop to take it off unless she wants to be overrun. It also didn’t help that spams of pain kept hitting her body at the wrong moments. Thankfully, it was just a short sprint. Eos came across the metal wall. It chirped and a circular door suddenly opened up inside the wall. There it was, safety. Yet there was a moment of fear. Not from the danger behind her but what could be in front of her. For there will be no telling what will happen to her when she enters that threshold. The manticore reared up, its body preparing to pounce. The situation was never so dire. Apple Bloom took a diving leap and entered the door.