‘Dear Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student...
I have read your latest report on magical alteration with great interest, your theories show great insight into the pegasi magic, and cloud based spells.
In light of this, I recently asked our researchers here at the SfGU, to look into other ingredients you could use in your studies.
However, their findings were less useful than I had hoped, it seems that most ingredients you haven't tried yet can only be found in one place: The Everfree forest.
There is another reason I mention this: I have recently been informed that there are several plants have not been cataloged yet. (the plants you could use as ingredients among them)
Therefor, I would like to officially request that you make sure all the unknown plants are correctly cataloged.
But as you are no doubt aware, the forest is quite the dangerous place, in light of this I think it would be a good idea for you to take your friends along, with the added benefit of having another opportunity to learn more about the friendship of magic aswell
'herding two clouds with one pegasus' as they say.
Ever your proud mentor, Princess Celestia
I sit at the table of the restaurant me and Spike went to for lunch, reading and rereading the letter from the princess, absentmindedly taking a bite out of my sandwich every now and again.
Hmmm, I didn't know the School for Gifted Unicorns had a research division.
“What's it say?” Spike asks, before he stuffs another emerald into his mouth.
I sigh and slump a little, knocking over my table's decorative vase, which I barely stop from falling with my magic.
“I'm not really sure what to make of it, the Princess wants me to go into Everfree forest and catalog a bunch plants, and even though she didn't outright tell me in the letter, it still counts as a royal edict, so on one hoof I should do as she says with all due haste, but on the other hoof the Princess clearly thinks this could be a great opportunity for my friendship studies and that I should take my friends with me.”
Spike snorts before swallowing the last of his emeralds “Well Applejack and Rainbow Dash are out for sure.” he leans over the table to look at me conspiratorially while stroking his chin with one of his claws as if he believes he still has that beard I magically gave him several weeks ago.
Note to self: from now on, whenever practicing magic, make sure not to give Spike facial hair again.
“Apparently AJ wanted to fly and Dash went with her to Cloudsdale to see if they could find some awesome-” he makes air quotes with his claws “-way to allow an earth pony to fly” he scratches his chin again “I wonder if there's a way to make my wings sprout early” after which his eyes suddenly go wide and he starts jumping up and down, “oh Twilight you should totally try and give me my wings next time we try your endurance magic training!”
Another note to self: make sure that Spike never finds the Alicorn Alteration Almanac.
I sigh deeply, “You do know that they told me where they were going right? They came by earlier and asked me for the cloud walking spell for Applejack” I completely ignore his outburst and instead arch an eyebrow at him.
He looks astonished for a moment before slapping himself in the face with one of his claws, “Oh right, of course they'd come to you for that.”
“Anyway, let's go and see if any of the other girls want to come.” I say, dropping a few bits on the table.
Spike appears beside me saluting like I'm one of the princesses. “Yes, sir!”, he gulps, “I mean ma'am, I mean miss!” He smiles sheepishly as he corrects himself under the glare I shoot him.
Hmm, it's probably a good thing that looks can't kill.
–
We take off towards the Carousel Boutique, or rather, Spike (with hearts for eyes) runs off in it's direction and I have to chase after him.
Not only is he a total gem glutton, he's also a hopeless romantic.
I think with a smile as Spike almost starts to float when we come closer to the boutique.
We arrive at the front door pretty quickly, so I decide knock and wait, trying to give myself time to organize my thoughts before Rarity opens the door tells me to come in, as she usually does.
Let's see, hmmm, I should definitely take Fluttershy, although Rarity might not want to come on account of the … how does she call it? Oh yes 'gunk.' Still, I suppose it never hurts to try. We are the best of friends after all.
I beam a smile at nobody in particular. Having good friends is wonderfull!
I'm still smiling when Spike pokes me. “uhhh, Twilight?”
I look at him with that same smile. Ofcourse, I've always had a friend in Spike, I should do something nice for him after I'm done in the forest. “Yes, Spike?”
He points towards a card in the window, prominently displaying beautiful unicorn calligraphy: “The boutique will be closed for the remainder of the day, I am ever so sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. ~Rarity”
I resisted the urge to facehoof, “Ofcourse, today is Rarity's and Fluttershy's Spa day.”
I sigh, “I guess we should stop by Sugarcube Corner then, I really don't want go into Everfree forest alone.” Although taking Pinkie might be even worse.
Spike turns to me with an undecipherable look on his face, “Twilight, if you don't mind I'm going to head back to the library.” he chuckles weakly. “have to make sure everything is ready for your study session this afternoon after all” and before I even have the time to respond he runs off.
I wonder what's gotten into him. I shrug and turn around backtracking to the center of town to make my way towards Sugarcube Corner.
–
I enter the shop, the bell above me rings to announce my presence.
“Good day, welcome to Sugarcube Corner, what can I get you?” a lean yellow stallion says while ducking under the counter to retrieve a tray of- what look like –rainbow cookies, Oh, those cookies look good, I wonder if they taste as good as they look. “Good afternoon Mr. Cake, I'm looking for Pinkie” I walk up to the counter “Do you have any idea as to where she might be?” Mr. Cake puts down the tray with cookies on the counter and replies, “last I saw her she was helping my wife with the children.” He scratches the back of his neck with a hoof, “that was a few hours ago though, so she's probably planning a party up in her room.”
I have to suppress a smile at his obvious discomfort “I was wondering-” I look over to the tray with delectable baked goods again “-how much for one of those rainbow cookies?” Mr. Cake smiles at this, “They're just an experiment by Pinkie Pie, I wasn't planning on selling them since I don't know if they're any good.” He picks up the tray again and holds it in front of me. “You'we welcome to twy some, no chawge.”
It's really amazing how dexterous earth ponies can be, I don't think I could brush my hair without my magic, let alone work in a confectionery.
I carefully levitate two of the cookies off the tray with my magic, “Thank you, I'll take one upstairs for Pinkie Pie aswell.”
He nods in understanding before setting the tray down again. “Just be careful when you go up there, she's been quiet for far too long now.” He sighs. “I had best get back to baking, see you later Miss Twilight.” I simply nod as I munch on my rainbow cookie Hmmm! these ARE good! and trot towards the stairs, second cookie in tow.
–
“Pinkie?” I carefully peek into the room.
When approaching Pinkus “Pinkie” pieus make sure to stay low, and keep an offering close at all times.
I have to suppress a smile as I think about the encyclopedic way somepony would write down Pinkie.
As I step into the room however, my smile fades as I look straight down the barrel of Pinkie's party cannon.
“Hia Twilight! How’re you doing?!” The excitable Pink earth pony bounces into my peripheral vision before suddenly disappearing as i try to look at her, reappearing a moment later as she crawls out of the party cannon.
I swear, no matter how many times I see it, I will NEVER get used to that.
Once again I have to resist the urge to face hoof, “Pinkie, what are you doing?”
Pinkie pulls a cylindrical object out of nowhere and puts it down in front of me. “Making ammo for the party cannon ofcourse! You can never have enough!” she leans in, pressing her face to mine before whispering “one can never have too many party supplies!” I settle for rolling my eyes. Even while whispering she still manages to be loud. Before giving me a wink and bouncing off in the direction of her closet door.
I sigh, and then with a shrug I decide to take a look at the cylinder, it reads: “Grand party, only for use with the party cannon, 180 kilofun” Ugh kilofun? That isn't even an accepted metric, how does she even know how much to pack into one of these?.. .. .. Forget about it Twilight, things like this will just give you a headache again.
Now that I think about it where did that piano from last time even come from?
I shake my head and turn towards the window near Pinkie's bed, where Pinkie is in the process of untangling herself from the bedsheets. Best to reduce the time i spend with pinkie for now or I am going to lose it again. I decide to just ask “Pinkie, the reason I'm here-” suddenly my vision turns pink all over as Pinkie finally untangles herself from the bed, only to jump out of it and right on top of me.
“The reason you're here is because the princess is making another sudden visit and you need my help throwing a party?!” she beams a smile at me.
“I've just finished a normal one, here! This one should do nicely for any private party you may or may not have planned!” She hands me another cylinder, it's a bit smaller than the first one but I could still fit my head inside of it, I decide to read this one out loud: “Standard issue party, for use with the party cannon, in case of a party emergency, add three buckets of water and a piece of rocksalt saltlick, 60 kilofun. Saltlick? How the hay does that help set up a party? I mean sugar I can understand, especially where Pinkie Pie parties are concerned, but saltlick? Ugh, no piano needed it seems.
I try to, but ultimately fail to suppress a groan, “no Pinkie, though I have gotten a letter from the princess she's not coming to ponyville, but I need your-”
“-help going into Everfree forest to locate certain things and write down other things.” She finishes my sentence. How did she know what I was going to say? No! Nevermind! I don’t need to know! I shake my head violently trying to get rid of my thoughts.
“Sorry Twilight” she continues like she didn’t just do something that should be impossible again, “but I can't” she shoots me a sad smile “I promised Mrs.Cake that I'd take care of Pumpkin and Pound this week, starting this evening.”
She gives me a brief hug before bouncing back to her closet/armory “I'll make sure to throw you a cataloging party later though!”
I sigh and smile at Pinkie, “Okay then Pinkie, I'll see you around.” and with that I walk back to the stairs, almost slipping over another one of the cylindrical canisters. Gigantic birthday party, only for use with the party cannon, 3 megafun. Ugh.
–
I walk out of Sugarcube Corner, lost in thought- so if none of my friends can come maybe I should try asking spike after all he is my num- and almost flatten my face as I walk straight into Rarity
“Please, do watch where you are going darling.” Rarity shakes her head, and checks her hair in the reflection of one of the windows.
“Sorry Rarity.” I smile sheepishly. Aren’t they supposed to be in the spa right around this time?
“Think nothing of it dear.” Rarity smiles at me “We just decided to grab something sweet before-, Rarity shoots a look at Fluttershy, who is standing right next to her. “-Well before figuring out what to do next really.” I look at Rarity, and then at Fluttershy, “Well aren’t you supposed to be at the spa? I know for sure that today is your spa day.”
Fluttershy shoots a nervous glance at Rarity, “Well, um, we were going to go to the spa, but when we got there, um-” She hides most of her face behind her mane “-well, there was a note that said that Lotus is sick, so, um, she and Aloe went for a relaxation marathon themselves.” Even though I can hardly hear her near the end of her monologue, I decide not to say anything about it. She has certainly improved a lot since she started having those weekly get-togethers with Rarity.
I shake myself out of my thoughts, “That's great! Uhhh, ahem.” I cough to hide my sudden embarrassed blush. “Ofcourse I don't mean that it's great that Lotus is sick!” I look at Rarity, who is glaring at me. “Or that I'm glad that you can't go to the spa!” I pleadingly look at fluttershy, who in turn, is watching me, calmly waiting for me to finish.
“It's just that.” I take a deep breath.
“Igotaletterfromtheprincess-andIneedtogointoEverfreeforesttocatalougeplants-andIreallydon'twantogoalone.” Rarity looks stunned after my rapid-fire speech, Fluttershy just smiles at me “Ofcourse we'll help Twilight,” she then meeps and looks at Rarity through her mane. “I mean, if it's okay with you ofcourse Rarity”
Rarity shakes her head a few times to clear it, and then smiles at the both of us. “But ofcourse darling, you know I'm not one to keep my friends hanging-” She gently reaches over and brushes fluttershy's mane out out of her face. “Whatever it is you need, you can count on us Twilight!”
did I think wonderful earlier? Having good friends is the best thing ever!
I move forward and embrace both of them in a hug. “Thanks girls, you're the best!” I let go quickly as Fluttershy begins to make choking noises.
“Sorry Fluttershy,” I smile sheepishly It's a wonder I haven't turned into a sheep with all the embarrassing situations I've been in lately “I just need to tell spike I'll be gone for a while and then we'll be good to go.”
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So… cold…..
..
So.. warm? “Huh?”
I open my eyes. I immediately wish I hadn’t. The sunlight hurts my eyes, and I quickly close them again.
What the hell? What happened?
.. Oh yeah. I fell into the water. Where the hell am I then? And where’s the ice?
Oh god. Maybe I’ve been frozen in ice for hundreds of years. Do humans still even exist? Maybe there’s some kinda robot race that enslaved the human race. Maybe I’m on another pl-.
Wait. No jumping to conclusions. Keep your head calm! This is probably just someplace I don’t remember. Although it IS quiet here. Let’s take a look at my surroundings first.
I decide to stand up, and start looking around.
The only thing I see around me is a small lake and trees. Lots and lots of trees. I can’t hear the city, which makes me feel a bit lonely. I always wanted to be left alone, and yet I couldn’t live without people around me. I needed contact, they just needed to leave me alone. I’m weird like that.
Well, the fact that I’m standing up means I didn’t get hurt. But that still doesn’t mean I’m out of the woods yet.
.. Wow.Out of the woods? Really? Bad pun is bad.
Anyway, let’s look around some more. No point in standing around.
I quickly start collecting my stuff, which are scattered around me.
Aw shit! My phone! “I wonder if it stills works. Ofcourse it won’t! It’s been submerged in water.” I start fidgeting with my phone, trying to get it to work. No luck though. I’m not exactly the best with electronics. It would have been a miracle if it was still working. Hell, it’s a miracle I’m still working.
Okay, what do I have on me? A dead phone, my headphones, my keys..
I take a look around the area, but can’t see anything. And that’s it.
I did lose my backpack though.. Oh well, it only contained my math books anyway.
As I take a last look around, I can feel the warmth of the sun on my back. I take a look up to the sun.
Better hurry up. Looking at the position of the sun, I have about 3 to 4 hours of light left. First things first. I don’t know where I am, so I need to find a place to sleep. Second, I should probably try to find some food.
If I stick to one direction. I’ll find someone eventually. Right?
So which direction should I pick? It should be an obvious one, I don’t want to lose my directions. The sun sets in the west, right? That’ll be a good start.
--
“Stay away from me!”
Staring at me is the biggest fucking spider I have EVER seen. It isn’t exactly close, but I back away anyway. I’m not staying here with that.. thing anywhere near me.
Oh fuck no! I’m getting outta here!
I run as fast as my legs can carry me, away from that terrifying monstrosity. I have a fear of anything that has more than 6 legs. It’s an irriational fear, but that doesn’t make it less scary.
Holy shit I cant believe how big that spider was it was like the biggest spider I have ever seen holy shit oh my god I’m never going back there again.
I hadn’t exactly been thinking about insects as I walked through the forest. I completely forgot about them. However, now that I’ve unpleasantly been reminded, I start checking every single tree in sight before I take another step. And try not to imagine that I feel things creep up my jacket every 3 seconds.
This is going to be a long day..
--
After a while, I feel my stomach rumble. I’ve been thinking about what happened since I woke up. I don’t even know how far I’ve walked.
The spider that scared the living daylight out of me is still on my mind. Luckily for me, I haven’t come across another one. That doesn’t make me scared less, however.
How did I end up here? Why the hell haven’t I met someone yet? The farthest you could walk around my place was about a minute before seeing someone else. I’ve been alone here for way to long. Something’s not right. I tried to wiggle my toes. Oh yeah. I can’t feel my feet anymore. That’s whats wrong! And these clothes are way to hot. It was early spring when I ‘decided’ to take a bath in a lake full of freezing water and ice. This feels like halfway through summer. I should probably lose some of my clothes.
My stomach rumbles again, even louder than before.
Why did I skip breakfast this morning? Was it even this morning? If I don’t find food soon, I will probably fall over and die.
I keep walking for a few more minutes, filled with rumbling sounds and regret that I didn’t eat. Whilst still checking for more spiders, my eyes fall on some delicious looking apples hanging high up in what I assume an appletree. I’ve never seen them this big before though.
How do I get these apples out of this tree? Shaking it probably won’t help, it looks way to big for that.
After looking around for something to get the apples down and checking for spiders, I notice a couple of rocks lying around. Might aswell try, right?
I take careful aim.
Cmon, you can do this! Just throw the rock, knock the apples out of the tree, and then you can eat!
My mouth starts watering at the thought of fresh apples. My stomach isn’t just rumbling anymore, it is shaking with the strength of an earthquake. I try to concentrate my thoughts on my throws. That doesn’t exactly go well. I miss the first one horribly. The second and third one don’t exactly go that well either. The fourth one is closer, but still not close enough. After the 7th try, I decide to give up.
Well that went well!
I guess the only option left is to climb the tree.
I walk around the tree, trying to find a nice spot to climb it. I see a low hanging branch, and try to grab it. It snaps in half after I put a bit of my weight into it. Well that didn’t work.. atleast I wasn’t standing on it yet.
After trying to find a branch that can hold my weight, I finally find a way to climb up the tree. Once I reach the crown, I hungrily grab one of the apples. I decide to sit down on a really thick branch.
Ah, this is good! I just hope no spiders come crawling up to me.
I take a franctic look around me, scanning for any spiders. Luckily, I don’t see any spiders… Yet.
As I sit in the tree, I notice the setting sun.
Did it take me that long to find some food? Atleast I won’t have to look for another sleeping place.Not that I will be sleeping at all, because of these crazy ass spiders.
It is a beautiful sight, high up here. I take another quick look around me for spiders, but I find something else. Something way more shocking than spiders. My eyes grow wide, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
How?