//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 - Deeper To the Forest 
// Story: Recalling the Nightmare 
// by Juu50x 
//------------------------------//


I don’t own MLP: FiM or its characters. They belong to Lauren Faust and Hasbro.


Recalling the Nightmare

Chapter 9
Deeper To the Forest




“Wha... what was that?” Rarity stuttered. “A... a timberwolf?”

“N... no... I don't think so...” Fluttershy said from her position on the ground, her hooves covering her eyes while her entire body shook from fear.

“And how do you know that?” Rainbow Dash asked from above while trying to fly through the trees. She was trying to reach the skies, but she couldn't as the trees were still working against them! This was just ridiculous!

“Well, I do live close to Everfree forest...” Fluttershy pointed out quietly, now daring to list her hooves away from her eyes.

“Oh, yeah...” Rainbow said, her embarrassment evident that she had forgotten that. The howl was heard once more and this time it was even closer. All five of them started backing together slowly, forming a small circle. But even that didn't offer any kind of comfort. But soon, the group found themselves in a formation in which Rarity and Fluttershy seemed to be right in the back, then Pinkie Pie and finally Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“Where the hay is that coming from?” Rainbow Dash asked, trying to sound both brave and somewhat irritated, but everypony knew that she was just as afraid as they were. Another howl and this time, they could hear something walking or running towards them.

Now they could clearly hear various rustles coming from different directions. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash gulped rather loudly, while Pinkie Pie just stood behind them, her eyes wide and silent and motionless. And finally both Rarity and Fluttershy cowering behind them with frightened expressions.

The rustle was getting closer and now they could hear what sounded like an animal panting and growling. “Ya sure those ain't timberwolves sugarcube?” Applejack asked, her voice shaking a bit. “Because... those sound pretty much like timberwolves to me...”

The sounds were now really close, close enough for all of them to see different sizes of figures trying to surround them. But what they also noticed was the faint, blue glow. The growls started becoming more aggressive. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash took their offensive poses, ready to kick their enemies flanks deeper into this stinking forest.

“Uuuh... Applejack...” Pinkie Pie then said, after watching the shades moving around them, waiting for a perfect opportunity. “I don't think those are timberwolves...” she said. For some reason that made her feel a bit safer. It was really, really, really, REALLY weird. But she ignored that and decided to stick with the bit more positive mood. Maybe this all will turn for better later and they could laugh and smile like before!

“Yyyeeah...” Rainbow said, her voice unsure. She could see that who or whatever had surrounded them, seemed to be smaller and stood with two legs. That was strange. And the growls that had at first sounded really scary from far away, now sounded really ridiculous. But Rainbow, or anyone didn't have anytime to think when all of suddenly...

“GET THE PONIES! MISTRESS COMMANDS!!!”

Then four figures suddenly lunged out from the growth of the forest. “DIAMOND DOGS!!!” Rarity screamed. And she was right. Only, they weren't the same looking Diamond Dogs they had encountered last time.

Their fur around their bodies had become darker than normal and their entire being looked more twisted, evil even. And their eyes caught the ponies attention mostly. They looked exactly like Nightmare Moons eyes.

“Oh no ya don't!” and before one of the Diamond Dogs knew it, they were hit on their midsection by Applejakc's hind legs. The first Diamond Dog let out a painful howl as he started clutching his stomach, curled on the ground. “Aaaw, do ya have a littl' tummy ache?” Applejack mocked. She heard another Diamond Dog, that seemed to have sneaked up behind her, being kicked in the face by Rainbow Dash.

“You think that's bad?” their pink colored friend suddenly cut in with while she was clinging on one, who looked like the 'leader' of the dogs. “AAARG!!” He screamed while waving his arms around, trying to get rid of the pink blur that was tuck on his back. “GET OFF FILTHY PONY!!!”

“No chance ugly!” Pinkie said, still clinging onto the Diamond Dog. And then proceeded to knee-kick him to the back. The Diamond Dog collapsed on the ground, moaning in pain. Then three more dogs jumped out from the shadow of the trees and joining in the fight.

“No way in the hay!” Rainbow exclaimed, flying between two Diamond Dogs, knocking them both down. While the third one was taken down by Applejack and Pinkie Pie. “Alright! Any more of you wanting to get their flanks kicked!!” Rainbow yelled. The forest was quiet, except the painful moans and whimpers of the Diamond Dogs they had taken care of.

But soon they could hear various growling and other sounds as at least a dozen, blue slit-eyed eyes opened. “Oh horseapples...” Both Rainbow and Applejack swore.

But before the three ponies could react, they were suddenly pushed to ground by the same Diamond Dogs they just beat couple moments ago. “Hey what gives!?” Pinkie Pie asked, trying to fend off her captor.

“Our Mistress has placed her blessing upon us!” One of the Diamond Dogs said. But they all could see that he was under some kind of mind-control spell. “We do not tire! We will kill you ponies and Mistress will reward us much-!”

*ZAP!*

“AAAAARGH!!” The Diamond Dog screamed as it flew over everypony else which was followed with a rustle and a small 'thud' as it hit the ground. All the Diamond Dogs turned their gaze to where the magical bolt had come from.

“GET! YOUR! FILTHY! PAWS! OFF! MY FRIENDS!” Rarity pronounced, every wordfilled with much rage. The Diamond Dogs started slowly backing away with fear. But the dogs that were still holding her friends weren't affected that much. “DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME!?” She said with her raised voice, while her horn started glowing again. This time pointing at them. “Let my friends go now! You filthy animals or else you will feel the fury of a scorned lady!!”

This time it seemed to work as the dogs that held Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie down slowly backed away, but didn't make it far as Rainbow knocked down two of her former captors. While two of her friends were looking at Rarity like she was a complete stranger to them. “What?” She asked, noticing the look her friends were giving to her.

“Rarity... that...” Applejack started, but quickly stopped herself when she didn't seemed to find the right words.

“WAS SUPERDUPER COOL!!” Pinkie Pie then cut in. “First you were all like: LET MY FRIENDS GO!! And then you were like: LET THEM GO OR I'M KICKING SOME FLANK!!” Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced around excited and energized as always.

“Yeah!” Rainbow said, agreeing with Pinkie. “That was really cool! Well, not as cool as I am obviously, but still really cool!”

Rarity just stared at her friends. Then her mind started processing what had exactly happened, as she wasn't quite sure herself. One moment she and Fluttershy were hiding behind a tree, then they had watched as their friends had stood up against the mind-controlled Diamond Dogs while they had hid. She had started feeling quite guilty of doing so and soon that guilt had turned into a anger and then... things had become bit blurry. And now she felt embarrassed fro Celestia knows why. “I... well... you see...”

“ENOUG OF THIS!” The Diamond Dog that had been shot by Rarity suddenly rose from the bushes, covered in scratches. “THE MISTRESS COMANDS THAT THESE PONIES NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED!!” He yelled, while pointing at the Rarity and her friends. “IF WE FAIL, THE MISTRESS WON'T BE PLEASED!!!” All the Diamond Dogs shuddered at the thought.

While their Mistress had rewarded them with this gift, she was extremely specific in what would happen if they failed her. All Diamond Dogs quickly sorted themselves out and once more turned from fearful dogs to creatures that demanded their blood.

“Okay, ah guess this is round two then...” Applejack said. Preparing herself for the coming fight.

“Yeah I guess...” Rainbow said. “Be sure to count this time AJ. I am already ahead of you.” She added with a smirk.

“In yer dreams RD!” Applejack countered with her own challenging smirk.

“Oooh! Ooooh! Can I join too!? I bet I can do whatever you girls are doing even better!” Pinkie Pie suddenly cut in again. Taking both ponies by surprise.

“Do you think you think you could take this whole situation bit more seriously?” Rarity asked irritated. “I don't think this is that kind of situation where-”

“GET THEM!!!!”

“AAH!”

The Diamond Dogs attacked with full force and the four ponies quickly jumped out of the way, which resulted in many Diamond Dogs ram into each others which gave a good chance for the ponies for their counter attack. And soon the area was again filled with various painful moans and whimpers. Unfortunately for the ponies, they ended quickly as the strange spell healed them and the dogs climbed back to their feet.

“Can you please stay down already!?” Rarity almost whined. This wasn't proper for a lady like herself. She was already sweating for goodness sake! “I don't think my coat and mane can take this kind of behavior any longer!?”

“Oh for Pete's sake Rarity!” Applejack exclaimed obviously annoyed. “Can't ya see that we got bigger issue than getting our coats dirty!”

“I can see that, but-!” Rarity was interrupted when suddenly a cloud of green smoke seemed to 'explode' out of nowhere, obscuring their vision and making everypony cough. “*cough!*...what in the... *cough!*” Rarity couldn't see the lone figure sneaked up behind her. But she did feel a touch as somepony suddenly warped his/her hooves, she was sure that it was hooves, around her and dragged her away.

“Hey! What is the meaning of this!?” Her captor didn't answer. But they soon got out of the smoke and Rarity could get better look at her savior/captor. “Zecora!” Rarity gasped.

“Fret not my little pony. For I have come to your rescue.” Zecora rhymed reassuringly before jumping back into the cloud of smoke.

“Rarity... are you... are you alright?” Rarity then heard rather familiar voice asking.

“Fluttershy!” She exclaimed, running towards the shy pegasus and wrapping her hooves around her friend. “Thank goodness you are alright!!” She didn't get any reply from Fluttershy, but she could feel as the pegasus' shoulders for some reason quivered and she could hear small sobbing sounds.

“Oh dear what is the problem?” she asked worriedly as she released Fluttershy from her embrace so she could look her in the eye.

“I'm... I'm such horrible friend...” She sobbed. There were already tears forming around her eyes.

“What are you talking about?” Rarity asked, her voice tinged with surprise and confusion.

“I... I just... hid, while the four of you were *sob* risking your lives while I *sob* was hiding like a coward...” Fluttershy was really close on to breaking down and start crying, but she was still holding herself together.

“Oh don't talk crazy darling!” Rarity said, trying to boost Fluttershy's self-esteem. “You are not a coward! Would a coward help defeat Nightmare Moon? Would a coward drive away a fully grown dragon?” Rarity asked with raised voice. She needed Fluttershy to see that she wasn't the coward as she thought of herself as.

“N... no...” Fluttershy stuttered. “I... I... tha-” Fluttershy couldn't finish her sentence as Zecora emerged from the smoke, now with Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“Where is Pinkie Pie?” Rarity asked as she noticed the absence of her energized friend.

“Duh, I'm right here.” Rarity heard a certain pink pony saying right next to her.

“GAH!” Rarity jumped. “What... when... how...” But none of them had any time for an explanation as s familiar voice roared from the smoke. “AAAARGH!! GET THE PONIES!!” They all turned to face the smoke where they could hear various barks and howls of anger and frustration. “WE MUST GET THEM! WE CAN'T FAIL MISTRESS AGAIN!!!”

“Go on my little ponies! Hurry!” Zecora said hurriedly. “For it is you who shall banish the darkness that has befallen upon Equestria!”

“But, what about you?” Rainbow asked worriedly. She, and her friends were obviously worried about Zecora.

“I'll hold off these mockeries of darkness, as you will fight the true one.” Zecora said, and five of them could see the flicker of confidence in her eyes. She wanted them to continue forward so they could stop things from getting even worse. They started moving away, but then Fluttershy stopped, turning back to the zebra.

“Wait! Have you seen Twilight or Princess Luna?” she asked. 

“No, I'm afraid I know nothing of Miss Twilight Sparkle or Princess Luna.” Zecora said. Taking some of her strange green dust onto her hooves. “Now go!” She said once more before she blew some more dust into the cloud. “Let's see if your noses can smell you out.” She said with an amused tone as the five ponies ran into the dark.


Later...

“Man, this is getting way freaky...” Rainbow said as they jogged deeper into the forest. It seemed that every step they took, the forest just got creepier and darker. “Hey... Pinkie Pie?” Dash then tried to break the unconformable silence between them and maybe even raise their spirits. It worked last time when they went through this road. Or a path. Or whatever!

“Yeah?” Pinkie asked, and that already made Dashie worried as there was lot uncertainty in Pinkie's voice.

“I don't think you might wanna sing your “Giggle At the Ghostie” again would you?” she asked with hopeful tone.

“No.” Pinkie simply said. Which almost sounded like a loud whisper.

“Uuuh... why?” Rainbow asked.

“Because this forest is like superduper scary...” Pinkie said, her voice now getting bit lower. “It feels like there are many nastywasty eyes watching us.” now her voice tone had turned into a full whisper.

“But, ugh, isn't this like the last time?” Rainbow asked bit confused.

“Well, yeah!” Pinkie exclaimed, but was actually able to control her voice so there wasn't any dramatic echo. “But this time we have like really really really REALLY nasty Diamond Dogs chasing us and the forest is pretty much alive-EEP!” Pinkie let out a small squeal, which would have made you think that it was Fluttershy, as a single leaf fell onto her flank. “And everything is just super scarier than last time.” There wasn't any arguing about that fact.

“Ya'll hear that?” Applejack suddenly stopped as her ears perked up.

“MEEP!” Fluttershy quickly hid behind Pinkie Pie, who was trying to be brave for Fluttershy, while both Rarity and Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack with worry.

“Ah asked: Can ya'll all hear that?” she asked again.

Rarity and others then started listening and soon they heard it also. Running water. The river! “We are close!” Rarity exclaimed excitedly. This whole crazy journey would come to an end quicker than they might have thought. They all the sprinted towards the river. But they quickly came to a suddenly halt as they saw that the water was higher and running more aggressively than it usually should.

“What in tarnation? The spring floods should have stopped months ago!” Applejack said. Looking at the large river with confusion and irritation.

“No doubt Nightmare Moon is behind this!” Rainbow Dash said smacking her hooves together.

“Soo...?” Applejack started. “What are we goin' to do?”

“We fly of course!” Rainbow said as it was a obvious answer.

“Sure you have noticed that some of us can't fly...” Rarity said dryly.

“Oh yeah. Eheheh...” Rainbow laughed bit nervously, while rubbing back of her head from slight embarrassment. “Well, any other suggestions?” Rainbow then asked. They needed to move fast if they wanted to stop Nightmare Moon.

“Ooh ooh! How about we try to talk to that nice sea serpent?” Pinkie then suggested. “But then, if he is a sea serpent, what does he do in a river? Is the river connected to the...” As Pinkie Pie went on with her 'rant', the other gave each other a questioning look. How to contact the serpent? And was he even in the river?

“So... does anypony know how to make him resurface?” Rarity asked, hopping that someone might know the answer.

“No idea.” Applejack said.

“Well we most certainly can't just try and call him.” Rarity then said. “I mean, look at the water!” she then pointed at the river behind her and Applejack.

“Oh, ya thin' so?” Applejack asked Rarity in slight mocking tone.

“Don't you give me that tone Applejack!” Rarity snapped back.

“Uuuh, guys...” Rainbow tried to get her friends attention by pointing behind them.

“Oh please Rarity!” Applejack exclaimed frustrated.

“Hey you two!” But Rarity and Applejack were still ignoring Rainbow Dash, but they also failed to notice a figure rising from the water. But the two ponies continued their bickering. Until a loud roar could be heard.

While Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie watched upward in fear, Rarity and Applejack started slowly turning around to face whatever the other three were looking at. At first they noticed a large greenish-brown body before them, then slowly, really slowly, their gazes moved upwards. And they quickly took notice of four necks!

“HYDRA!!!” They both screamed as the Hydra let out another roar, before lunging two of its heads towards them.



DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!!! Another cliffhanger! Ha! But don't worry, there is only three more chapters and then main course: NIGHTMARE MOON!!!

Well, I hope you guys liked this chapter and if you didn't, sorry if it sucked. Well, don't forget to comment this chapter/story. And constructive criticism is welcome. But let's not burn everything down, please?

Till next time, THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT(MARES!!)