//------------------------------// // 3: Tea and Treasure // Story: Chronicles Of Divine Equestria 1: Temple of the Spirit // by PhatSno //------------------------------// CHRONICLES OF DIVINE EQUESTRIA EPISODE 1: regarding THE TEMPLE OF THE SPIRIT and the RISE OF THE SUNDER CHAPTER 3: TEA AND TREASURE The light blue pegasus flew as fast as she could toward the edge of the Everfree Forest where her fillyhood friend lived. Out of all of the other five of her best friends, Fluttershy was definitely the closest. Rainbow Dash had known Fluttershy since they were fillies and, both being pegasi, went to Cloudsdale School of Flight. It was about fourteen years ago when Rainbow and Fluttershy had met – a little unceremoniously, admittedly. Still, the pegasi loved the friendship they had between each other and looked forward to the days when they could go for a casual flight around Ponyville and enjoy each other’s company. As Rainbow Dash flew over Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack lived she looked out for the tree cottage which the quiet, yellow pegasus called her home. Fluttershy’s love for all animals drew the many woodland creatures to her peaceful abode which sometimes made it easy for Rainbow Dash or any of the others to tell whether Fluttershy was home or not. And as the tree cottage came into sight, Rainbow Dash spotted a group of rabbits gathered outside of the front door which meant that Fluttershy was inside. Landing softly, Rainbow Dash walked over to the door and knocked. Apparently she hit the door a bit too hard because at the first knock, a soft squeal echo from what was probably the kitchen and out through an open window. “Oh dear…” Rainbow could hear the pegasus talking to herself inside. “It’s me, Rainbow. Can I come in?” “Um, one minute please. Oh gosh…” Rainbow heard a clank and an apology to whom she thought was to Fluttershy’s pet rabbit, Angel (who really wasn’t an angel at all). Sighing, the blue pegasus turned to looked around the property as she waited for Fluttershy. The serene, looming trees nearby marked the border into the Everfree Forest which was home to many strange animals. Being the wimp she was, it was a mystery why Fluttershy insisted on living near the border to such a mysterious landmark considering many smaller, nicer creatures roamed the nearby fields. Scattered around and hanging above Fluttershy’s porch were many plants of all strange shapes and colors. The serene silence which was laced by the soft humming of the wooden chimes was broken only by the front door opening slowly and Fluttershy’s head poking out. She looked cautious, almost frightened. “Finally! Are you going to let me…uh, Fluttershy? What’s the matter?” “I hear strange noises…” Rainbow Dash held still to listen but all she could hear were… “Fluttershy, those are the wind chimes. Your wind chimes!” Straightening up and slowly opening the door, Fluttershy spoke with a sheepish smile. “Oh, right. Well, come inside Dashie. I was just cleaning when you knocked.” With a hint of impatience, Dash thanked her. As the wooden door closed softly behind her, Fluttershy walked into the kitchen as Rainbow launched herself into the air before flopping onto her favorite chair and closing her eyes, letting the wind from outside blow through her hair and the sounds from the hundreds of chimes fill the sunny living room. The open window swayed softly. The shadows which rested on the floor and walls were cast only by the strange-shaped plants outside the window, the brightness of the sun reflected off the wood of the inside of the beautiful tree. Rainbow perked up suddenly and sniffed. “What’s cookin’, Flutters? Smells like –“ “It’s a pumpkin stew and some…oh dear I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Rainbow laughed. “It’s alright Fluttershy, go on.” “Well,” she began, looking back at the kitchen. “I’m also cooking some yummy eggs.” Fluttershy obviously noticed the look on Rainbow’s face because she added, “I know you don’t like eggs. Those are for Angel. Where is he anyway?” Fluttershy turned and went back into the kitchen calling for the little white rabbit. In a few moments the rabbit hopped out of the kitchen and bounded up the spiral stairs to the second floor, sneering and licking his fingers followed by Fluttershy rushing out of the kitchen, brushing her flowing pink hair aside. “Oh, shame on you Angel Bunny!” She said in a soft, but firm, tone. “Sneaking tastes of the stew! And while we have guests? The nerve!” Rainbow giggled at Fluttershy’s attempt to sound assertive but it was impossible with that little voice of hers. It was obvious that Fluttershy was content with her scolding of the rebellious bunny because she perked her chin up and walked into the kitchen with triumph. “Fluttershy, what kind of tea do you have? I mean, I’m not much of a tea-drinker but, what the hay? I hear you have a pretty sick brew.” The yellow pegasus called from the kitchen in a barely-audible dialogue. “I have some Totterfew leaves and Honeybark grains which I usually mix, if that’s alright with you.” “That sounds perfect! Thanks, Flutters.” Rainbow Dash had no idea what Totterfew or Honeybark was at all. Smiling widely, Fluttershy peaked out of the kitchen doorway. “Anytime, Rainbow. I’m glad you could make it today after all for some lunch. I know that the others are all busy and with Twilight gone, it’s not exactly easy finding somepony to spend the afternoon with.” Rainbow nodded as a gesture of her pleasure to be there. Out of all of the places to be on a peaceful, sunny, summer afternoon in Ponyville, Fluttershy’s cottage was the place to be for relaxation and friendly fellowship with friends. The others did not plan on dropping by and Rainbow Dash knew this as well as Fluttershy, but they always cherished the times they could spend alone. Their fourteen-year friendship was reflected by Fluttershy’s kindness and Rainbow Dash’s loyalty toward Fluttershy and the rest. As the afternoon slipped into the evening, and after a late lunch of pumpkin stew, spiced eggs, Sweet Apple Acres’ Cinnamon Spiced Pie, and of course the Totterfew tea, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy decided to relax on the balcony which overlooked the fields opposite the front of the cottage. Because it was on the second floor, it gave the pegasi a spectacular view of the lush Equestrian fields and the rolling hills and jutting mountains beyond. The day was perfect. The breeze was soft and, as the sun began to enter the first stages of its setting, the friends agreed to go for a casual flight over and around the fields and watch the sun set. Upon a lonely hill the two pegasi sat on a large tree stump in silence, the extravagant colors of Equestria around shimmering against the horizon, reflecting off the blowing leaves. The faces of the friends slowly turning to grey until finally all that they could see were the starlit fields around them and the soft glistening of Rainbow Dash’s and Fluttershy’s hair in the moonlight. The pale blue fields were still and silent with the absence of wind and now the birds had all gone to their nests in the trees of the forest, their joyful songs replaced by the solemn monotony of the cricket’s chirp. A thick mist began to gather about the two friends who were now curled up with one another on the large tree stump, having fallen asleep while discussing deeply the many things on their minds. It wasn’t until Fluttershy woke up that the silence was broken. Of course the dark surroundings of midnight Equestria scared her and she violently shook Rainbow Dash to wake her so she could cease the yellow pegasus’ fears. As Rainbow Dash stirred, Fluttershy sounded less frantic now that she had another mare to talk to. “Wake up Dash! It’s already midnight!” Fluttershy spoke softly in a half-whisper like she was afraid to wake some dreadful creature in the darkness so far from her cottage. Rainbow rubbed her head and pulled her mane out of her eyes to take in the view of the starlit fields around them. She had not meant to fall asleep for so long, actually she had not meant to fall asleep at all. But Rainbow’s and Fluttershy’s discussion about someday visiting Cloudsdale to catch up with some pegasus friends had led them into a nostalgic conversation of their past and growing up in Cloudsdale. Eventually the two of them fell asleep where they sat. Now they would need to fly through the heavy fog back to the cottage. “Ugh, Fluttershy I was having a good dream. Why did you have to wake me up like that? I’m not a snowglobe!” “I’m sorry Dashie, I – uh –“ she seemed to be taking the scolding offensively. Rainbow had a tendency to exaggerate things. “I woke up and saw that it was dark and cold and scary and –“ “There’s nothing to be afraid of Fluttershy, we’ll just need to fly low and pay close attention to the trees, then we’ll find your cottage, alright?” “Well, alright…but, Rainbow? D-do you th-think that there are – well, I don’t know – m-monsters out here? Like a Two-Toothed Tetherhawk, or a ferocious, fierce, Forest Fox? Or –“ “There’s nothing like that out here, Fluttershy, those only stay in the Everfree Forest. C’mon, let’s get going.” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and started to fly away backwards so she could make sure her timid yellow friend wasn’t going to stay behind. It was a wonder why Fluttershy built her cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest when she was afraid of almost all of the creatures who lived within it, not to mention the trees themselves. Rainbow Dash turned around midflight, content that Fluttershy would keep up. She flew slowly over the span of field over which they come. Through the thick, low fog they could see the tops of the trees and the edge of the forest. A drenching mist was in the air but no sounds, although they constantly stopped to listen to the environment for any indication of where they were or who might be nearby. It was about ten minutes later when they realized something odd on the ground below them. Even though they couldn’t see the grass or boulders or bottoms of trees because of the mist, they knew that there was a strange deviation in the ground. Three very large trees were leaning slightly as if they were sliding downward or the ground on which they stood had decided to rise into the air. Whatever the reason was, Rainbow noticed it and, after some difficulty, convinced Fluttershy that they should go and check it out. It was only after the pegasi had landed that they realized it was a large hole in the ground and the trees were leaning inward toward the hole. It looked as if the ground around the trees’ roots gave way into the hole, at the bottom of which was a large pile of dirt which had probably gathered when the sides of the hole had given in. “I don’t like the looks of this.” Said Rainbow Dash, a little too gloomily for Fluttershy’s liking who took the opportunity to voice her fears. “Me either, this looks like the doing of a Giant Sniffing Dirt-Digger! We should get out of –“ “Fluttershy! Please…” Rainbow’s stare silenced Fluttershy and needed to same no more. Instead, she flew further down into the hold and landed on top of the mound of dirt in the center. “Hmm, this hole is about as big as Twilight’s tree house. I wonder what could’ve made this.” “So you agree that something made it?” Fluttershy sounded frantic, almost hysterical. “Would you settle down, featherbrain? All I’m saying is that this is not natural.” Dash looked below her at her hooves, then the dirt. “I wonder if there’s something buried here, like somepony tried to hide something.” “Whatever it is, Rainbow, I don’t think we are meant to find out.” “Oh come on! This is exciting, isn’t it?” With that Rainbow started scraping all four of her hooves at the soft earth pile, looking intently for something she wasn’t even sure was in the dirt to begin with. But the prospect of an adventure in the cold, looming fog beneath the stars was enough to get her imagination going. Not in fear like Fluttershy, but in excitement and determination. It was who she was and she wanted to create an adventure, even if there was none. “Rainbow what are you looking for?” Fluttershy was now much more calm and sat on the edge of the hole, looking down at Rainbow Dash who was now digging swiftly and furiously. “I don’t know but there’s got t’be something buried here, I’m almost sure of it.” “Do you think it’s a treasure? Like a box of gems?” Now the yellow pegasus was getting a little excited and smiled as she spoke. “Maybe it’s where Rarity gets her gems for her dresses! O-or maybe someone stole them and buried them here…” she sounded fearful again and looked around warily. “B-but that means they will be coming back for them, right?” “Oh please, Fluttershy, it’s more likely to be a grave!” Although she was joking, Fluttershy squealed and held her hooves to her mouth, purposely sliding down the side of the hole to get to the bottom where Rainbow was eight feet below. She was almost at the bottom of the dirt mound when something hard clanked against Rainbow’s hoof. The two pegasi stared at the pile of dirt – what was left of it – and realized that there was something buried in there. Although Rainbow Dash was looking for something in it, she still seemed awestruck that she had been right. But what could it be? There’s no way that it was buried treasure or a box of gems, not in this kind of hole which was exposed the way it was. Maybe it was an ancient, abandoned mineshaft which had collapsed many years before; that would explain the trees caving in; but then why so far from the mountains? The dirt was still a few days fresh and soft. Fluttershy stood and inched closer, her curiosity making her forget her fearfulness. Rainbow gathered her wits and used her hoof to scrape the same place where she had hit whatever it was in the dirt; and whatever it was, it was solid, so she scraped slowly and intricately, careful not to hurt her hoof. After a few moments Rainbow’s hoof had moved aside a large clump of dirt and Fluttershy let out a yelp. Rainbow’s heart gave a great leap and began to pound against her chest, her eyes widening in fear. There, sticking out of the dirt was the head of a pony! “Whoa!” Rainbow Dash jumped back away from the buried pony and stood by Fluttershy not really knowing what to do. The pony stared at them, apparently buried in the soft dirt and unable to move from its sideways position like it was sleeping. But it was not sleeping. Its eyes were glistening in the starlight and the closed mouth held no expression of happiness, fear, or malice. It was staring at the pegasi who were now staring back, not knowing what to do or say except see what the pony would do next. But it did nothing, nothing at all except lay there in the dirt and stare with those shiny, unblinking eyes. Finally, Rainbow heard Fluttershy speak. “W-what…what is th-that…?” Rainbow could not say anything; there was a lump of terror in her throat that she could not swallow down or cough up. Instead she shook her head. Fluttershy could not hear her voiceless answer. Suddenly, the moon was hidden by a large dark cloud and the hole, fog, and hills all around were engulfed in darkness. Although the pony trapped in the dirt was not moving, Rainbow Dash hated the feeling of being in the hole with it, knowing that, although she could not see it, it was staring at them relentlessly. Quick as lightning, she grabbed Flutteshy’s flank and began to flap her wings, intent on getting as far away from the pony in the dirt as possible. “I’m getting out of here! C’mon, Fluttershy!” “B-but Rainbow, what if she’s trapped?” “I don’t think she was alive Flut –“ “Oh, p-please d-don’t pull me so hard, Rainb –“ “I said we’re leaving! I don’t like this at all!” The pegasi were now flying as fast as they could toward the cottage. “Something didn’t feel right about that pony. They way she looked…did you see? It was like she was alive?” Said Rainbow Dash. “But she wasn’t moving! She looked like she had turned to stone!” Responded Fluttershy. “That’s true, I noticed that too.” After a few moments’ thought, Rainbow Dash had an idea. “Hey didn’t you tell me there’s a creature in the Everfree Forest that turns ponies to stone if you look at them in the eye?” Fluttershy squeaked. “Oh my, yes! Yes there is! It’s – “ “No time, Fluttershy. We’ll talk about it later, just follow me and stick close!” None of them said anything or even cared to fly up above the fog in order to find the cottage, they just wanted to get home. Rainbow flew extremely fast but not nearly as fast as she was able knowing that she could easily leave her best friend behind. She knew Fluttershy was right behind her so Rainbow just kept going, trying to forget the image of the unblinking pony, eyes wide open, mouth closed and emotionless. She shut her eyes to blink away the image but when she opened them she saw the cottage through the fog only a few feet from her, but it was too late. She flew through the open window and into Fluttershy’s kitchen before slamming into a bookcase lined with pottery and cookbooks. Fluttershy must’ve been following Rainbow closely through the fog because she made it through the window and hit the cottage wall inside the room. Rainbow heard a crash to her left and, as she lay underneath the bookcase which had fallen on her, she saw a few picture frames fall down and break apart. For some reason, the room looked extremely dark and it was moving oddly around. Dash’s mind felt like it was shutting off and her head felt heavy. Fluttershy wasn’t moving at all. Rainbow Dash laid her head down on the wood floor, the bookcase on top of her small body. She managed to squeeze her head out from under the bookcase before closing her eyes and losing consciousness, the image of the buried pony with that lifeless, penetrating stare burned into the back of her eyelids and therefore fully alive in her unconscious dreams. “Applejack! Applejack!” The sound of Applebloom’s frantic shouting made Applejack drop her rake and run outside the barn to see Applebloom, her younger sister, and Big MacIntosh, the oldest sibling who was a large, strong dark red stallion. “What is it Applebloom? What’s the hurry?” Applejack spoke quickly, her southern accent blending her words. “It’s Angel, Fluttershy’s bunny! He hopped all th’way over here and tried getting’ my ‘ttention! And Big Mac and Granny Smith – “ “Applebloom, settle down. Ah c’n hardly understand yer mumble jumblin’!” “But Big Mac can’t understan’ Angel and – “ “Where’s Angel now?” “But they can’t understand Angel but ah think ah do, somepony’s in trouble. Hurry, Applejack, we gotta – maybe it’s Fluttershy, or – oh c’mon Big Mac, go to Fluttershy’s cottage!” Big Mac sensed the urgency in Applebloom’s voice and took off to the south toward Fluttershy’s cottage on the edge of the Everfree forest. But Applejack, who had a hooffull of experience with Applebloom and her friends’ pranks, knew better than to just listen to whatever her little sister had to say. Instead of prancing off after Big Mac, Applejack looked around fervently for the small white bunny who apparently had delivered the message of urgency to Sweet Apple Acres. But instead of finding the bunny, Applejack saw Pinkie Pie and Rarity trotting over to the barn. “What’s the matter, Applejack? We heard Applebloom’s voice and realized something must be wrong.” Rarity’s voice was calm but serious, the polar opposite of Pinkie Pie’s excited hopping and inability to pay attention to the other two mares. “Hey there Rarity, Pinkie Pie...” Applejack gave a courteous nod, then told them what Applebloom had said. “Goodness, I wonder if the others are alright!” Rarity stared at the sky in horror. It looked as if she was hoping to catch sight of Rainbow Dash flying amidst the scattered white clouds. “Hmm, sounds to me like they’re playing a game!” Pinkie Pie jumped when she squeaked the word “game” and Rarity glared at her. “I don’t think this is a game, darling. Fluttershy could be hurt. Too bad we can’t fly there. Let’s get moving, I think that if we –“ “Just wait a fetchin’ minute! Applebloom doesn’t exactly have the smoothest slate as far as trust goes. Ah can’t tell ya how many times I’ve fallen for hers and Scootaloo’s pranks! Ah’ve got work t’do and frankly I don’ think –“ “Applejack,” Rarity turned a stern look toward the orange earth pony. “Maybe we should check on Fluttershy, just in case.” Applejack looked back at the barn and back at Pinkie Pie who was convinced Fluttershy was playing hide-and-go-seek, then sighed impatiently. “Alright, let’s hurry up then. If she is in trouble then we’d best not waste any time!” As an afterthought, Applejack ordered Pinkie Pie to tell Granny Smith, the eldest member of the Apple family, where they were going. “Okie dokie, you can count on me!” Pinkie Pie skipped off to the Apple house calling at the old mare’s name. In the meantime, three mares turned and started southward in the late wake of Big Mac who by now had reached the cottage. And when he did, he saw what looked to be a normal scene around the door to the treehouse. Many animals of all kinds had gathered outside the door and, when Big Mac approached the steps, the animals did not scatter. But something was a little different. The forest creatures looked scared, concerned, even edgy or nervous like they were waiting for somepony. Big Mac avoided the unmoving animals around the welcome mat and abandoned the courtesy of knocking by opening the wooden door slowly and looking around the living room. Everything was neat and tidy, but the couches seemed a little ruffled. There was even a slight hint of tea in the air and the familiar smell of Sweet Apple Acres’ Cinnamon Spiced Pie (which Big Mac personally baked himself on some occasions). Nothing really seemed too suspicious. It looked as if Fluttershy had gone out for a stroll in the fields or east into town to buy some ingredients like she usually did this time of day. Big Mac knew she did because Fluttershy would always stop at Sweet Apple Acres to pick up cabbage and celery for Angel and a crate of apples for her homemade pies. As Big Mac pulled his head out and began to close the door he realized something else. Something very suspicious and out of the ordinary: an eerie breeze was blowing from the kitchen which caused the door into the kitchen to creak. The large red stallion decided to enter and check it out, and he opened the door all the way to allow his large, muscular frame to pass, a strong breeze entered and blew the kitchen door open revealing a book lying open on the floor, its pages turning little by little as the warm breeze passed through the doorway. Big Mac approached the kitchen. His eyes went from the book to what looked like pieces of broken glass, then to a whole pile of books on the ground amidst broken picture frames. Underneath the books, lying on top of the glass was the unmistakable form of Fluttershy’s thin, yellow body. Her face was down in the glass, the majority of her body was buried beneath the cookbooks, her flowing, pink hair lay strewn and dirty, its distraught look resembled that of a frayed piece of yarn. On the other side of the pile of books was a bookshelf tipped over and beneath were the books which had once been neatly organized. Just as Big Mac crouched down to start removing the books from atop the buried Fluttershy, he heard the urgent hoofsteps of Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and his younger sister Applejack. He looked back through the door and also saw Angel beside Applebloom, all of them looked worried and stared at Big Mac, their expressionless faces and slight frowns asking for answers from the stallion. Applejack knew that Big MacIntosh didn’t talk much so she asked him straight away. “Is Fluttershy in the kitchen? Is she in there?” “Eyup.” “Is she alright?” Big Mac said nothing, but instead looked back at the silent, yellow mare beneath the books and began to scoop aside the glass and push the books off of her. His silence was the answer the others were dreading. They all raced forward into the kitchen, looking in horror at the mess on the floor and the body of Fluttershy which was now much more exposed thanks to Big Mac’s efforts. It wasn’t long until the unconscious pegasus was lifted up and out of the room and placed gently on the couch. Her mouth hung open and her body sported a few cuts and held onto pieces of woods which splintered her tender thighs. Her hair was frizzed and covered in dust and dirt, her eyes closed and relaxed. No emotion or sign of life came from the yellow mare, but Applejack was sure she was alive. “Fluttershy…?” Applejack spoke softly. Tears welled in her eyes. She had not given up on her friend but the sight of Fluttershy in this state was too much for the orange mare to bear. “Fluttershy, dear, if you can hear us please say something.” Rarity tried to wake her as well, touching her delicate cheek and moving aside a strip of hair. Applebloom started to sniffle but tried hard to hold it in. Suddenly, Fluttershy’s mouth closed and a quiet, groggy moan came from her throat. It sounded agonizing and it set Applebloom over the emotional edge. In seconds the filly was crying. “Fluttershy? Can you hear me?” the choked voice of Applejack filled the quiet cottage. “If you can hear us, please s – “ “Mhh…” Fluttershy let out another moan, this time obviously trying to say something. “Mhh…mmm…my…my…” “You’re what, dear?” Rarity sounded frantic. “What is it?” “M-my head...” With those words the others looked at Fluttesrhy’s head, Rarity ran her hooves through the forest of pink, searching for any sign of wounding or harm, but found none. Applejack felt over the right side of Fluttershy’s forhead and noticed a bump as large as an apple. “Rarity can you take Applebloom out front, please?” The pearl-white unicorn obviously didn’t like the idea of leaving Fluttershy but did not object as she too knew that Applebloom shouldn’t be in the room at that moment. When she returned she saw Applejack huddled beside the pegasus while Big Mac waited patiently on the other side of the couch, looking down at his hooves. “I think we should take her to Doctor Whooves, it could be bad.” Applejack’s words hit Rarity like an arrow. What if Fluttershy was in peril? How bad was it? What had happened? Did something fall on her? Or did something from the forest attack her? The Everfree Forest was a very dark and dangerous place with creatures relentless and unimaginable. With all these thoughts racing through her mind, Rarity decided to ask a few of the questions she could manage to speak. Crouching beside the couch next to Applejack, Rarity spoke very sweetly to Fluttershy, trying to calm her but still get what info she needed out of her. The curiosity and unanswered questions were unbearable. “Fluttershy?” Not expecting an answer, the unicorn spoke so low it was barely a whisper. But Fluttershy managed to squeak out a response. “Yes…Rarity…?” “Fluttershy, oh I do hope you’re alright! What happened? How did you get hurt?” “Th-the window…it…it…we…” “We? You and Angel?” “N-no…no…me and R-rainbow…Rainbow Dash.” “Rainbow Dash?” Both Applejack and Rarity softly exclaimed their surprise. “Well,” began Applejack. “Where is she now? Where did she go?” Fluttershy opened her heavy eyes and looked around the room, not moving her head. She looked like she was panicking, apparently looking for her childhood best friend. “Y-you mean she left? Where did she go?” Rarity exchanged glances with Big Mac. “She was never here, darling.” “Y-yes, yes she was. I mean, she is…oh, oh my gosh! She must still be in the kitchen! Oh-oh gosh!” Fluttershy tried to launch herself off the couch and instead fell clumsily into Applejack’s arms who looked up at Big Mac with an urgent, yet determined face and ordered him into the kitchen while settling Fluttershy back down on the couch. Her breathing was faster and she began to perspire, her ruffled hair causing her to look so bedraggled and worn down that it was impossible not to feel a stab of pity for the pegasus; her eyes filled with tears and a soft, pathetic squeak of urgency and whimpering for her friend, her wings tucked tight to her sides in fright. There was the sound of a quick grunt and wood sliding against wood from the kitchen. Within a few seconds, Big Mac came back pulling Rainbow Dash beside him, trying to be gentle with her but finding no other way to move her except to drag her. Rainbows mane was dirty and sticking in all directions, the yellow part of her mane was barely distinguishable from mud. Her eyes were closed, her cyan body covered in cuts with a few large bruises where the bookcase had crushed her. It was a sad sight and it made Fluttershy cry aloud when she saw her friend lifted slowly and put upon the chair next to the couch. Rainbow’s body flipped to the side, facing the back of the couch. Her tail hung dramatically off the chair, her strong leg muscles visible in the soft glow of the sun as her legs were stretched over the edge of the chair. Applejack got up and tried to flip Rainbow back over. The orange pony’s eyes were red, tears dripping from them. Although it was obvious Applejack was beyond grief for her friend, Rainbow didn’t make noise. The unconscious, blue pegasus’ silence cause Applejack to get angry. she spoke aloud and was angry at Rainbow Dash. This was her friend! Not even a day ago they had been wrestling in the park; they had always had friendly competitions with one another. Now Appplejack’s emotions came out in anger at her friend. “Rainbow! Rainbow wake up!” Her voice shocked the others. Applejack’s thoughts were on the permanent loss of her friend, her emotions coming out in angry accusations of the unconscious pegasus. “Rainbow, you stupid mare! Why? What happ’ned? You’re tough, wh-why? Oh mah goodn’ss you make me angry. All of your little stunts, what could you have possibly done to put yourself and Fluttershy in such danger?” Applejack buried her face in Rainbow’s mane and sobbed loudly, speaking about Rainbow through hiccups and choking frustration. “Wake up, Rainbow! We need you! You can’t just leave like this, you can’t leave Fluttershy. Oh…oh my you look…” AJ giggled. “You look terrible…well, you always do. You’ve never been one to brush your mane, have you?” Rarity and Fluttershy were still holding each other close, not sure what to say. Applejack surely believed Rainbow was beyond the physical care of any doctor. She believed that Rainbow Dash was gone and her sadness came out in anger. Rarity was crying softly while Fluttershy held Rarity close, not sure what to do next; not sure whether or not to believe that Rainbow Dash was gone. Rarity used the current silence to speak; soft words, as though afraid to interrupt. “Applejack? Maybe we should take both of them to the doctor now.” Rainbow Dash stirred, a small, weak voice spoke from the muffled cushion of the back of the chair. Even though her voice was always raspy, it sounded more scratchy than normal. “I don’t need a stinking doctor, Rarity.” The others looked at each other in amazement. She was alive! But what happened to her? Why, after being crushed by a large bookcase, was she alright now? She was well enough to make more of her constant jokes and jibes at the others! Her denial for medical attention was normal for Rainbow Dash whose pride, although mostly contained, made her feel like she shouldn’t show any weakness. And as she sat up, she turned around and smiled at the others; a sad smile of relief and happiness. Putting her hoof to her head her eyes went from Rarity to Fluttershy. Rainbow’s eyes no longer looked happy and her sheepish smile left. A look of anguish smothered her face, looking at the yellow mare and her wounds. “Huh…are you alright Flutters?” Rainbow Dash felt guilty, but was worried about her best friend either way. “Oh, Rainbow…” A tear fell from Fluttershy’s cheek. “I’m with all of you, and as long as we are safe…I’ll be alright.” Smack! “No thanks to you, Rainbow!” Applejack swung her mighty hoof against Rainbows shoulder, knocking her against the chair’s arm. Rainbow’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Applejack’s fury could not be contained. “You put your friend in danger, Rainbow! Look at her! What were you doing? Was it another one of your tricks?” “Applejack,” Fluttershy’s soft voice was barely audible. “P-please, it wasn’t h—“ “And what makes you think that this is funny? Don’t you smile at me, Dashie! You and her could’ve been killed! What if Fluttershy was cooking? There could’ve been a fire! What were you thinking, flying ar—“ “What in the name of Luna are you talking about?” Rainbow Dash straightened herself and made an angry face at Applejack. They were always fighting, but Rainbow could not take these horrible accusations. “Applejack, for you information, I wasn’t doing another stupid trick. We were getting away from…from…well, we were in a hurry and couldn’t see where we were flying.” “It was late, Applejack,” The other pegasus piped in. “It was late, and there was fog, and we flew through the window and I hit the wall, I think Rainbow hit my bookcase with all the cookbooks in it. Oh dear, please don’t be mad a—“ Applejack’s confused face was voiced only by Rarity’s curiosity. “What exactly did you say you were flying away from?” Rainbow Dash exchanged a strange look with Fluttershy. “We never said anything about that.” “Y-yes you did, I heard you say that. Rainbow, what are you hiding? What were you doing flying out near the forest at night? You know it’s dangerous! I just –“ “Look, it’s nothing. Alright? We were j—“ “What are you two hiding?” Rarity’s face could only be compared to that of a scolding mother’s: her eyebrow was raised and her lips pursed. Applejack’s face was angry, her jaw set in a determined effort to keep her mouth shut. “It’s…Rarity, it’s nothing. We just had a flying accident. That wasn’t the front door to the cottage like we thought it was.” “Y-yeah, so we ended up going through the kitchen window instead.” Fluttershy let out a nervous giggle. “K-kinda silly, don’tcha think?” Applejack rose and walked over to Big Mac who was just about to open the door to check on Applebloom. Finally, she spoke her thoughts and did not sound happy at all. “At first I thought something truly horrible had happened to both of you. But I guess it’s just a matter or irresponsibility. Your irresponsibility, Rainbow!” “Wh-what?! Why me? I didn’t make her –“ “Fluttershy may not be a good flyer, but you probably drew her into this. You know she can’t fly well. As a matter of fact,” AJ crossed her arms and leaned against her brother. “Fluttershy rarely flies at all!” Rainbow looked down at the floor. She was overwhelmed by a swarm of thoughts and anger toward Applejack’s blame. This was not her fault! How could Applejack be so accusatory? She didn’t know the whole story… But why didn’t Rainbow just tell her? Fluttershy obviously understood that she did not want any of the others to know, but it did not seem like Rainbow Dash even knew why she wouldn’t say anything about the trapped pony in the dirt. It didn’t seem real – the pony and the crater and the frantic flight home – but it was, and they had the bruises and cuts to show for it. Rainbow decided to take the blame while she cleared her mind of the situation. Something told her to not say anything about what happened the night before. The sound of Applebloom’s voice snapped Rainbow Dash out her thoughts and back to her accuser; Applejack locked eyes with Rainbow before looking away and sighing. “Applejack, Zecora is here.” Said the little filly on the porch. AJ kept her arms crossed but used her shoulders to push herself off of her brother and walked over to the door and opened it. The sight of Applebloom with Zecora brought back some memories that had involved the two of them almost a year ago. But this time the circumstances were different. Zecora walked in and locked eyes with Rainbow Dash, looking knowingly from pegasus to pegasus. Zecora was a zebra who lived in the Everfree Forest. She came to Ponyville province many years ago before Twilight Sparkle moved to the city from Canterlot. Zecora had come from a far-off land across the sea and with her she brought her country’s customs, knowledge, history and practices. For a while the citizens of Ponyville were apprehensive about Zecora’s visits to their city but soon learned that she wasn’t at all much different from the rest of the many earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. “Hello friends, I’ve heard of your plight. But I never expected to see such an awful sight. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, I am glad you’re okay, for the thing you saw has made you this way.” Zecora always spoke in rhymes. In the country she came from, she was a Medicine Mare, a zebra tribe member who works with potions and remedies that can cure, cause, and counter almost anything in and outside the equestrian body. All Medicine Mares speak in rhymes, for they believe that it is through the power of rhyming lyric that one can organize their thoughts correctly and speak effectively. “Thing? What thing, Zecora?” Applejack wanted to know exactly what the zebra was talking about. Rainbow Dash felt uncomfortable at the thought of AJ and Rarity knowing about the night before and hoped Zecora would not tell them if she knew. “A mystery to me, no, I do not know. But these mares have seen a life in death’s throes. A spark and ash from a fire back home, told me to come to the aid of the alone.” The mares and Big Mac were trying to follow what she was saying. “If it is true that they saw what they saw, then the legends are true, the stars will not move on. It seems that they have fled from the sight, of neither dead nor dying, unblinking eyes.” Rarity, Applebloom, Big MacIntosh, and Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash and then to Fluttershy, searching for answers on their confused faces. There was no denying that what they saw was real. It had seemed like a dream to Rainbow Dash, but it was true. And whatever it was, it wasn’t something one could dismiss; not when the wise Zecora visited the victims of a nightmarish night. She had been told to go to them from a spark and cloud of ash.