//------------------------------//
// Into the Forest 
// Story: The Legend of the Arachnapony 
// by RaijingtheClockworkPony 
//------------------------------//

	Apple Bloom was running along the road leading to the forest thinking about the words of advice her sister had given her. Don't go into the forest alone. If you wanna visit Zecora ask me or yer brother to take you or Ah guess you could go with a group of friends so long as you stay on the path. Apple Bloom couldn't find a reason to disagree with her sisters words but that wasn't what bothered her. It was the tone in which they had been said. Applejack had sounded worried about something. 

Apple Bloom's thoughts were drifted off when she saw her friends waiting for her. "Sorry Ah'm late. Applejack was insistin' on givin' me advice."

Apple Bloom stopped running as she reached the trio at the edge of the Everfree Forest. She took a moment to catch her breath. Scootaloo was sitting on her scooter and glanced over to her.

"Well at least you showed up. For a moment we were thinking about going home."

Apple Bloom glanced over to Sweetie Belle and Featherweight. Sweetie was shuffling on her hooves and was looking everywhere but at Featherweight. The colt was looking up the path that led into the forest. Apple Bloom took a deep breath then addressed the trio.

"Alrighty then, any ideas on how to do this?"

The others looked at each other and then collectively shrugged. Apple Bloom tapped her chin as she tried to think of something. Her thoughts were interrupted by Scootaloo.

"Well, all we need to do is try to get close to where you met it. So do you know where that spot was?"

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Ah have no clue... but Ah think Ah know how to get there."

The four of the young ponies started into the forest. They wandered on the path following Apple Bloom until she came to a stop. She was studying a tree closely. After a second she walked to the other side of the tree and let out an exclamation of success. 

"Aha! I found it."

The others walked around to look at her. Sweetie was the first to voice her confusion. "Found what?"

Apple Bloom pointed to the tree. "When Ah out here alone Ah used chalk to mark the trees so Ah wouldn't get lost. Ah guess Ah didn't really need them though. We can follow them to the glowing tree Ah saw and from there we can figure something out."

The others nodded and agreed with that plan. They set off into the bowels of the forest. They spent close to half an hour going from marked tree to marked tree until they came across the circle of trees. Apple Bloom led the group around the trees until they found the opening. She walked into the clearing and gazed upon the tree. It was exactly the same as the night she first laid eyes on it. The others walked into the clearing and were speechless at the strange plant before them.

"How is it glowing like that?"

Apple Bloom looked over to Scootaloo. "Ah don't really know. Whatever it is it's really pretty."

The others agreed and they slowly approached the tree. Apple Bloom noticed that as she moved closer that the movement of the leaves shifted away from herself and her friends. She inched closer and reached out with her hoof. 
                                                                                                                                                                                               

She returned. Amusing.

The large creature watched the small group of ponies walk along the path. He listened to them as he moved from branch to branch above them in the trees. They stopped after a moment and studied a tree on the side of the path. The red maned one he had saved mentioned something about marking the tree. She then said something about not needing them but he became more interested in her due to the cloth she wore in her mane. 

I recognize that pattern.

He shifted in the tree and leaped to the east. His motion through the trees was a smooth motion born of a life time of practice. The motion of landing, balancing on the branch, preparing the next leap, and making the leap a single fluid motion without flaw. He moved swiftly then came to a stop after only half a minute. He glanced down and spotted a bright red cloth hanging in a low lying branch. 

He dropped down and gently picked up the cloth. He inspected it and could smell her scent on the cloth well before he brought it close to his face. Pretty color. She must have owned this a long time. Her scent is heavy on this cloth. He leaped back into the trees and headed back to the ponies. He returned to the tree they had inspected and found that they had moved on. Not surprising. The youth never stay still. He considered going to the ground and tracking them but when he heard them off in the distance he moved through the trees to them. They make so much noise and yet they search for me. How could they ever expect to find prey like this if the prey can hear them coming from a mile away? 

"Ah don't really know. Whatever it is it's really pretty."

He froze on the branch. They couldn't have found it.  He leaped to another tree then gazed through into the clearing with the glowing tree. He was impressed that they had found it. it had taken him almost a month of searching to locate it and these foals find it in one day. His attitude quickly became alarmed when he spotted the red maned one reaching out for the tree. 

"You shall not touch it!"
                                                                                                                                                                                               

Apple Bloom felt something grab hold of her flanks and tail. She had only a second to register this fact before it quickly yanks on her and pulled her backwards away from the tree. The pull forced her into a sitting position and the next thing her mind register was a small shock wave and a soft *THUMP*. Her friends screamed and she whipped around to see why they had. What she saw made her blood run cold. 

It was huge, larger than even her brother. It was wider than her brother as well and due to living on the farm with Macintosh she could tell that it was all muscle. The first thing she noticed after that fact was that it had a thick coat made of coarse looking hairs. It had hooves like a pony, the basic body structure of one, and even had the ears but that's where the similarities stopped. In place of a tail it had an abdomen that looked at home on a large spider. If the abdomen wasn't the first indication that is was insectoid then the four claw tipped limbs and the pincers on its face were. What really terrified Apple Bloom were the eyes, two large black emotionless eyes that stared right at her and six much smaller ones around them. 

The creature approached the other three ponies. Featherweight panicked and did the first thing that came to mind. He took a picture. The bulb flashed and the creature let out an unholy noise, something between a scream and a hiss.

*HREEEEEEEEEEEEESCH*

Its small claws pawed at its eyes as it aimless stumbled around the clearing blinded by the flash. Scootaloo was the next one to overcome her fear. She grabbed Sweetie and shook her.

"Come on! We need to get out of here!"

Sweetie was knocked out of her paralyzed state. She looked at Scootaloo then over to Featherweight. "We can't leave Apple Bloom behind! She's still behind that thing."

The three of them tried to get around the creature but when they started moving it uncovered its eyes and swiftly pounced on them. All three of them were pinned beneath its claws.

"Don't! Please!"

It looked back to the red maned pony that was still sitting on the ground. He let go of the three foals on the ground and faced her. It could see the terror in her eyes. He bent low so as to get to eye level and looked her in the eyes.

"Greetings little one. I shall not harm you or your friends."

A flicker of recognition passed into her fear filled eyes. "A-Are you the thing that saved me?"

It nodded. "Yes. I saved you from the Timberwolves. You didn't heed my warning."

Her fear was ebbing away but her ears stayed pinned to her head. "I wanted to see you again. My sister wouldn't believe me." 

It stood up to its full height. "Fair enough. I have something of yours"

It turned slightly to the side and tilted its body so its abdomen was aimed in the air. If Apple Bloom wasn't scared near speechless she would have found the sight hilarious. A silverish white strand shot out without a noise and hit something in the branches above. After a second the creature did a shook its abdomen and the strand started to come back. The strand coiled on the floor behind the creature and formed a small pile of silverish white with a hint of familiar red.

Her fear forgotten Apple Bloom dashed over to the pile and removed the cloth. "My bow!"

She immediately removed the green one she was wearing and started to put on the red. While she was joyfully distracted the creature turned his attention to the trio that was huddling in the leaves. It's glance passed over each of them in turn then focused on the white one with a poofy mane.

"What sort of spell was that flash, an attempt to blind me?"

He moved closer menacingly. The colt of the group jumped up and put himself between the creature and Sweetie. "Don't come any closer!"

The creature let out an amused chuckle as the colts voice cracked in fear. "You really think a colt as tiny and skinny as you can stop me? No, my interest is in the source of that flash. Namely the filly."

Sweetie let out a terrified squeak. Featherweight however stood his ground. "It wasn't her. It was this."

He held up the camera. The creature moved over and took the device out of Featherweights hoof before he had time to react. It held the device up so all eight of its eyes could study it.

"This little box? What form of magic is this?"

Featherweight recovered from the shock and his first instinct was to reach for his property. He reached for it but quickly stopped himself when he realized what he was trying to take his camera back from. His motion wasn't missed by the creature. Much to Featherweights surprise it gave the camera back to him.

"Show me."

Featherweight stood there slightly confused. "What? You mean right now?"

It nodded at him. He sat there trying to decide what to take a picture of. He came to a decision and aimed the camera at Sweetie. 

"Cheese?"

Sweetie looked over at him. "What?"

He lowered it for a moment. "Can I get a smile for this one please?"

She stood up slowly and gave him a shaky smile. Featherweight looked over at the creature. "One second please."

Featherweight walked over to Sweetie and started whispering to her. The creature looked over to Scootaloo. She had gotten up and brushed the leaves off herself.

"Is he always like this or is this just because of me?"

To her credit Scootaloo merely shrugged. It took her a moment to realize that she had been addressed by the creature that a moment ago had pinned her to the floor. She gave it a shaky smile as it gave her a scanning look. It considered asking another question but was interrupted by a light touch on his side. He looked over and noticed Featherweight standing there.

"Okay. Ready Sweetie?"

It looked over at the unicorn. She gave a tentative nod then gave a smile to the pegasus standing next to it. What a pretty smile. This pegasus better make his move before another pony does. He winced as the bulb flashed. He let out a low hiss. Featherweight moved away fearing he had done something to anger the large creature.

"How does this box of light work? What is its purpose?"

The skinny colt held the up the camera. "Well I don't really know how it works but it's meant to capture images so you can look at things even when you can't get to them. Cool things, pretty things..."

The final statement caused him to blush. The creature failed to care for the young colts obvious flirting and kept his eyes locked on the camera. 

"Interesting. So what do you call objects like this one?"

Featherweight shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Well this is called a camera but I guess other stuff like this would be called technology."

The giant spider like creature looked over at Sweetie. "So can you use magic or has this 'technology' made magic obsolete?"

Sweetie shuffled on her hooves with a slight frown. "No it’s just... I'm not good with magic."

The creature was about to ask her something when Apple Bloom tapped it on the leg. Apple Bloom looked up at the creature and motioned for it to come lower to the ground. It did as she asked.

"What exactly are ya?"

It looked at the small group and saw the mingled looks of curiosity and fear. "My kind has been called many things over the centuries. Dark Crawlers, Forest Nightmares, and the Unholy Spawn of the Moon..."

It noticed that the looks of fear growing with every passing word. It let out a sigh and lay down on the ground to try and show that it was friendly. 

"But the most common name given to my people is Arachnapony." 

The small group looked at each other then back to the arachnapony. Sweetie Asked the question that was on all of their minds. 

"What's your name?"

It stayed silent for a moment. Sweetie shuffled closer when it didn't answer. It flexed its four smaller limbs then cleared its throat.

"I haven't had a name for a long time. Most of my kind simply know me by my duty given to me by my Matriarch. I was given an honor that many of the males of my brood would do anything to have."

Scootaloo gave a small cough. "And what... um well I guess I mean are you a stallion or a mare?"

Apple Bloom looked offended. "Oh Celestia! Scootaloo you don't just ask a pony... arachnapony what gender they are!"

The arachnapony shrugged. "I would be called a stallion by your standards."

Sweetie Belle tilted her head. "Ooh and what was that duty you were given?"

"I have been known to my people as Guardian."

The group went silent as they thought about what that could possibly mean. However Apple Bloom decided to say something else that was on her mind. 

"Why did you save me?"

"You needed help. I provided that help."

Apple Bloom looked like she was about to ask something else but was cut off by Scootaloo. "So why are you here in the forest? I mean we've been in here plenty and we never saw you before."

He pointed to the glowing tree with one of his small claws. "It. My duty has always been to watch over it and protect it."

The smaller ponies gazed at it in wonder. Once more Sweetie voiced the group’s thoughts. "What is it?"

Guardian scratched his chin with a claw. "My kind called it the 'Tree of Light' but I call it 'Arbor Lunae'."

He noticed the slightly confused looks. He almost got annoyed by it but the looks of interest that mingled with the confusion amused him. 

"It's 'Tree of the Moon' in ancient Equestrian. I heard the term and thought it fit better. This tree is made from both an ordinary tree and the pure power of Lunar magic." He turned to Apple Bloom. "Touching it is both an offense to my people and extremely dangerous. It would most likely have killed you if you had touched it with even a single hair."

Apple Bloom swallowed and gave him a shaky grin. "Ah guess you saved me twice now. Thanks."

He scratched behind his ear in mild irritation. "Your safety wasn't my concern this time. I was worried about the tree. I haven't been able to protect it since the Matriarch went missing and now that it's back I will do anything to protect it."

Apple Bloom walked over to him and gave him a hug. "Thank ya anyways."

The feeling of her legs wrapping around his neck brought two reactions from the group. The other three ponies gasped slightly out of fear that Guardian might attack or hurt her. The touch of the filly brought out a strange emotion in Guardian. He hadn't been in contact with another creature in a way even close to this intimate in many years. He found himself relaxing in the embrace. Much to Apple Bloom's surprise he used his claws to hug her back.

"You're welcome."

They pulled apart and farm filly sat down on the ground. Featherweight broke the small silence that followed from the embrace.

"You said that you haven't been able to protect it since your mattar-arch—"

"Matriarch." Guardian corrected. "She went missing a long time ago and when she did the first tree died. I was unable to save it and since then I have been searching for this one."

The group fell silent once more. Apple Bloom moved closer to Featherweight so she could whisper to him. "Do you think the picture you got will do?"

Featherweight was looking at Sweetie Belle with a dreamy expression. "I don't think I got her good side..."

He let out a dreamy sigh. Apple Bloom faced hoofed and gave hit a light punch on the leg. "Not her, him. Should we get another picture with him or will the one you got do?"

He gave her a sour look. "Well I don't think I got a good one. Might need two or three more."

Guardian noticed their whisperings. "What is it that you need?"

Apple Bloom and Featherweight jumped. Apple Bloom gave him a small bashful smile. "Ah was wondering if you would let us get a picture of you."

He glanced over to Featherweight then to the camera. "I... suppose that would be alright."

He rose to his hooves and faced the small colt. The colt fumbled with the camera then aimed it at Guardian. A bright flash blinded him and he let out another, but much quieter, screech of irritation. Small orbs of light danced in his eyes and he found himself regretting even letting them stay in the forest for this long.

The terrified voice reached his ears. "Sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you."

Guardian rubbed his eyes until the small balls of light disappeared and the forest came back into focus. After a moment he looked over to the small colt. 

"I'm fine."

The colt looked at the camera for a moment then back up to Guardian with an embarrassed smile. "Can I take another?"

Guardian’s deep voice became much colder than it already was. "No. All four of you have overstayed your welcome in this sacred place and this camera has injured me twice today. Now all of you leave this forest."

His voice had a strong commanding tone that none of the ponies wanted to defy. They all stood and headed for to opening in the trees except for Apple Bloom. She walked over to him and looked him in his largest eyes.

"Will Ah be able to visit you again?"

He looked down at her and noticed the pleading look she had. "I will consider it. Now please leave this forest and spend your time with your friends and family."

She gave him a quick smile then ran over to her friends. They exited the circle of trees and followed the chalk marks back to the main path. It wasn't until they reached the path that any of them spoke. 

Scootaloo looked back in the direction of the circle of trees. "Well he wasn't very friendly was he? I mean the guy could have at least tried to be nice."

Apple Bloom looked back at Scootaloo. "Well Ah think he was just mad about me almost touching the tree. He did say it was sacred."

Featherweight turned to the others and held up the camera. "At least we have the pictures to show the others."

All four of them were suddenly yanked backwards by strands of the silver web from Guardian. He flicked his abdomen and the strands spun all four ponies around so that they faced him once more. 

His voice dripped with venom that chilled the blood of the ponies. "You plan to do what?"

"T-To show t-them to everypony," Featherweight stammered. The large arachnapony leaned down to look at him at eye level. When he spoke it was with a much sweeter voice that made the groups blood run even colder.

"I'm really glad you want to share me with your friends, I really am, but I'm so tired from a long day and I don't think you would want me to be disturbed when I'm tired. Do you?"

The group shook their heads. He gave them what passed for a smile. Much to their terror they saw long fangs. "Good. And you wouldn't want anypony to get lost in the forest and get hurt now would you?"

More shaking of heads. "See? None of us would want that. So if you would do me the tiny, little favor of not telling anypony about me that would be great. You can keep the photos but please keep them to yourself and if you do that..." He paused for a moment then sighed. "I'll let you visit me if you want to. Deal?"

The group brightened at the idea. Apple Bloom was the first to come out of her fear induced state of silence. With a shaky voice she spoke. "What about family that we already told you about?"

He looked at her with a cold gaze. "Only your family? Fine but no others. Now please go home."

Without wasting another moment he leaped high into the air and vanished into the air. The four ponies looked to each other and silently agreed not to talk until they left the forest. They made their way out of the forest and went a fair distance before any of them spoke. Featherweight was the one to break the silence. 

"Are we really going to keep this a secret? I think we should still show them the photos."

Apple Bloom glanced back to the forest then to the colt. "Ah think it would be best if we honored that agreement. He ain't exactly the type of pony to get mad. Besides we promised and Applejack always tells to never break a promise."

Featherweight stood his ground. "We went in there for pictures and if we don't get evidence then all of us will be laughed at by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. We have more than enough proof here to prove you right."

Scootaloo approached Featherweight threateningly. "If you show those pictures to anypony I'll clean your clock."

Featherweight took a step back. "Come on. We need to show the town these photos. Look at what happened with Zecora, she became best friends with the town. I'm certain that Guardian will become accepted in enough time."

Scootaloo took another step forward. "Were not showing those photos. We made a promise."

Featherweight flapped open his wings ready to take off. "You gonna try and stop me?"

the purple maned pegasus nearly launched herself at him but she was stopped by the other two fillies. After a moment of struggling Sweetie whispered to both of the fillies beside her. 

"Let me handle this."

She walked over to Featherweight and gave him a sweet smile. "May I talk to you for a second in private?"

The skinny pegasus looked confused but nodded his head. Sweetie led him a little ways so that they were out of ear shot of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The pair of fillies on the road watched as the others talked. 

"Can ya hear what their saying?"

The orange pegasus shook her head. "No but I bet it won't work. If he won't listen to reason or threats then what will he listen to?"

The sat there for a moment then watched as the pair walked back with smiles on their faces. Featherweight walked up to them and his ears pinned to his head.

"Sorry about all of that. I promise I won't show these photos to anypony. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

He crossed his eye then placed his hoof over his eye. With a smile he turned to Sweetie. "I can get these pics done by tomorrow if I can get home fast enough."

Sweetie nodded and gave him a small wave. The skinny colt took off half running and half flying towards the town. The other two fillies turned to Sweetie with disbelief written on their faces. 

Apple Bloom picked her jaw off the ground to speak. "What did you say to him?"

In a perfect impression of her sister she answered. "A lady has her secrets."