Chapter 4
Sunlight gleamed in Twilights eyes as she stirred from her slumber. The forest was peaceful and much less threatening than the night before due to the sunlight and sounds of birds chirping. Twilight walked out of the six's makeshift tent and wandered around the clearing. She was still somewhat asleep due to the hard ground she was resting on the night before and her eyes felt heavy as she tried to wake up. As she walked to the spot of the previous fire she heard her friends awake.
"Ow!" Rainbow Dash said in annoyance. "Rarity your hoof hit me in the face."
"Sorry, darling I'm just stretching." Rarity said with a yawn.
"Yea Rainbow, lighten up." Applejack cut in.
"Ah, what a beautiful day." Fluttershy said trying to lighten the mood.
"I wouldn't know Fluttershy I can't see 'cause there's a hoof in my face!" Rainbow Dash replied in annoyance.
As they continued to argue Twilight just laughed at all the times such as this where she wondered how they were all still friends.
"Man, listen to them argue" Pinkie Pie said.
"Tell me about it. Hey wait! Pinkie when did you-? Oh never mind." Twilight said, deciding not to question the pink pony. "C'mon girls we have to get going. Remember, there are still two of our enemies trying to destroy us."
"Thanks, we all needed to hear that." Rainbow Dash sarcastically.
"Never mind that, we all gotta get goin" Applejack said.
The mane six continued on thought the Everfree Forest going through brambles and thick vines until they got to an oddly thick section of the forest.
WHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAOOOOOORRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOH!
"Uh, Oh." said Applejack in distress.
"What was that!?" Fluttershy gasped in horror.
"Timberwolves." Applejack stated followed by muffled screams and gasps.
"We have to keep movin' ah'd hate to see what would happen if one of those caught us." Applejack said, cautiously leading the way.
The mane six continued thought the darkened part of the Everfree forest being ever so cautious not to attract attention. They could practically feel the timberwolves following them but were too scared to look around. They were walking slowly until they heard another cry.
WHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAOOOOOORRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!
This time the cry sounded louder so they began to pick up the pace. Walking fast, slight jog, full out jog, then-
"RUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!" screamed Fluttershy.
Not only did the main six start sprinting away but also their following timberwolves did the same. The main six knew they couldn't outrun the wolves but they also knew they had to try. They dodged tree limbs, jumped bushes, and took dangerous twists and turns here and there to lose the wolves. However, it was too late; the wolves had locked onto their scent and had them caught. The chase finally came to an end when the six came to the side of a cliff.
"Oh no!" shouted Twilight "We're trapped!"
"Twi can't ya teleport us outta here?" Applejack asked
"I don't work well under pressure!"
"Rainbow?!" Applejack said hurriedly.
"I can only get one pony and Shy doesn’t fly!" Rainbow Dash said backing up into the wall.
Just then the timberwolves came out from behind a bush. Three features were instantly noticed about the timberwolves. One, the size; they were almost twice as large as each of them and having large teeth and claws weren’t helping. It seemed that the logs they were made out of were almost as thick as each pony’s body was and that was only for a leg. Second, the eyes even worse than a changeling’s. The darkness of the woods almost consumed the wolves except for their glowing eyes. They were narrowed, looking right at their prey cowering at the side of the cliff. Finally, their breath. The utter stench that came from their mouths almost was enough to make a pony pass out. If it wasn’t for the fear the mane six probably would have. It was almost indescribable due to the number of smells that could be present. It was like if a bird died was then buried in manure for three days in the hot sun then thrown away along with sweat socks, rotten eggs, and moldy cheese; then all soaked for a week in curdled milk and then finally was sprayed on buy a skunk.
The wolves closed in on the mane six as they thought of their last words when suddenly the closest wolf was hid with a tennis ball sized rock.
“Hey garbage breath! Over here!” Called out a voice trying to distract the wolves.
The mane six looked up to see other than Spike standing at the top of the cliff with a rock in his hand. The three timberwolves looked at Spike only for a second to decide that he deserved to be eaten first. They ran around the side of a cliff to a pathway that was behind the bushes and up at Spike only thinking his plan through about 50% started to run away from his new problem. The six followed the wolves up the path and saw them gaining on spike.
“Twilight we have to do something to save Spike!” Rarity cried in distress.
“Well, I’m not under pressure so okay.” She replied.
Twilight gathered up magic in her horn briefly before looking up to aim.
“Almost…got…it” She said while gritting her teeth.
Beads of sweat began to form at her forehead as she concentrated her magic. Spike who now was out of breath was now no more than ten feet away from the timberwolves. He turned around only to see the wolves jump and then a bright flash of light.
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“I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, Oh sweet Celestia I’m dead.” Spike said, holding his arms in front of his face.
“Spike.” Rarity said from a distance.
“Rarity… Is that you?” Spike called out.
“Spike.” Rarity's voice called again.
“Oh Rarity, it’s horrible! You and I died and our friends are probably crying over it right now.” Spike said sadly.
“Spike.” Rarity said this time closer and louder.
“Yes Rarity.” Spike said still oblivious.
“Spike.” Rarity said again.
“Yes?” Spike asked, completely confused now.
“Spike.” She repeated.
“For Celestia’s sake what is it?” Spike said obviously annoyed.
“Oh Spikey!” Rarity shouted lovingly.
“For the last time what is whoa-!” Spike said as he was tightly hugged by Rarity.
“Oh Spikey-Wikey I thought I lost you forever.” Rarity said almost in tears.
“You and me both.” he whispered.
“What?” Rarity said breaking the hug.
“Nothing.” Spike said, blushing.
Spike now aware of the situation looked at what the bright flash he knew now was Twilight’s magic had done. The timberwolves were only a few feet away from his face and they were a few inches of the ground. They had also been encased in a 6 inch thick layer of ice. Spike being released from his hug now saw the other friends walking over to him.
“Spike! Thank goodness you’re not hurt.” Twilight called out as Spike ran to hug his other close friend
“Spike that was awesome!” Rainbow Dash said with excitement.
“Don’t forget brave.” Applejack added.
“Yeah you were all like, Hey Garbage breath over here, then you ran and ran then Twilight could use her magic again and she saved you kinda like you saved us. Funny how that works out.” Pinkie said all at once.
“How did you even find us?” Fluttershy asks.
“Since my encounter I have never forgotten the sound or *shudder* smell of a timberwolf.” Spike said proudly.
“Well thank you for coming to our rescue. If you didn’t show up when you did we would have probably been eaten alive.” Rarity said.
After her comment Rarity planted a light kiss on the Spikes cheek who then fainted on the grass.
“Spike.” Twilight said bluntly.
“Whaaaaaaa- oh sorry” Spike said clearing his throat. “By the way why were you all randomly in the Everfree forest?”
“It’s a long story we’ll fill you in on the way back to Ponyville.” Twilight said as the group started back to town.
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“Whoa! So let me get this straight. Discord escaped ‘cause Chrysalis freed him then they attacked the princesses then you ran and had to jump out of the train and then after wandering through the Everfree forest were chased by Timberwolves until I saved you.” Spike said in slight confusion.
“Yes Spike, that’s why we are here.” Twilight said. “I came to look for a spell to stop them.”
“Okay, wait a second…did you say that Chrysalis was on the train coming from Canterlot?” Spike asked in distress.
“Yeah, what of it?” asked Applejack.
“Last night the train got here and only normal ponies got off so maybe-“ Spike reasoned.
“Maybe the changelings are hiding in town with Chrysalis.” Twilight realized.
Sure enough when they got out of the forest they could see the train at the station, empty. At first they didn’t know what to do but using her keen intelligence Twilight thought of a plan.
“Okay we have to skip town, change our names, manestyle, heck even change the colors of our coats. Then we start a rock farm in Saddle Arabia and then-“ Twilight said as she began to panic.
“Twilight.” Spike cut in. “Calm down when you get stressed you tend to go…uh…a little crazy.”
Stopping for a moment Twilight noticed already she had been clenching her teeth, had messed up her mane, plus her right eye was twitching.
“Duly noted Spike.” She said fixing her appearance. “We can’t just stay out in the open though.”
“Well lets go get that spell then.” Rainbow Dash said enthusiastically.
“Besides she won’t find us in your library.” Said Applejack.
“True, but we can’t go through town square either if there are any changelings they’ll see us.” Twilight said.
“Oh don’t worry.” Pinkie Pie stated. “I know a shortcut.”
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Celestia’s eyes opened weakly as she regained conciseness. Not knowing where she was or how long she had been out she felt she was in a daze. Plus everything seemed green to her. Suddenly her eyes bolted opened as she knew where she was. She saw she was in another one of Chrysalis’ cocoons and she knew she was trapped. Chrysalis had enchanted all of her cocoons to be impervious to magic. She could barely see but turning her head she could see her sister slowly moving in her own cocoon. Celestia tried to call out to her but the cocoon was soundproof. All she saw was Luna awake then open her eyes in fear and cower in the side of her cocoon and for what Celestia could see, her sister was whimpering. Although slightly amusing Celestia was too full of fear to smile all she could do was wait for someone, in her case Twilight and her friends, to save them so they could stop the changeling takeover.
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“Since when is walking on the outskirts of town, going to Apple Acres for a mug of Cider then sneaking through bushes to get to the closest alleyway to Twilights house a shortcut.” Rainbow Dash said in aggravation.
“Oh did I say shortcut?” Pinkie asked. “I meant "funcut". I mean we got cider wasn’t that fun?”
“UGGGGHHH!” Rainbow cried out.
"Never mind that we have to sneak over to the library." said Twilight
The mane six and Spike stood ready to dive into bushes and sneak their way over to the library. However, when Twilight gave the signal their minds went blank with fear and simply sprinted across the street. Spike quickly opened and shut the door as the mane six ran inside. The inside of the house was dark, pitch black even. As Rarity moved forward something hit her in the face.
"Uh Twilight," a concerned Rarity stuttered. "What's this?"
"Hang on let me turn on...the...light." She said, reaching for a light switch. "There we go- wait what the?"
The library had looked as if Pinkie' Party Cannon had gone off. In Rarity's face was one of many streamers, there were discarded cups and confetti on the floor, and on one of the tables was a pizza box from Papa Colts. As the six were looking at the room in shock spike quietly crept away.
"SPIKE!" Twilight called out in annoyance.
"What? I don't know anything about this. Here, let me go get a broom." Spike said, backing up slowly.
It was only a matter of seconds until Spikes desperate lie blew up in his face.
"Spike?" cried Applebloom from upstairs "Is that you?"
"Spike." shouted Scootaloo "Did you bring more pizza? I'm starving!"
"Hey Spike?" Sweetie Belle chimed in "Are you ready to part-...ohhhhh noooooo"
The three fillies stopped dead in their tracks as they saw the rather annoyed Twilight and their exceptionally angry older sisters. At first they thought they could possibly lie their way out of the mess until.
"LET'S PARTY" cried a young colt as he ran into the fillies.
"Snails! Watch out!" Snips shouted.
The fillies and two colts tumbled down right in front of the mane six. Spike tried to run but Twilight grabbed his tail preventing his escape. The kids looked up with expressions guilt, fear, and sadness (or in snails case confusion).
“What on earth are you ponies doing?” said Rarity.
“We…are…just…minding the house! Yeah, that’s it!” Sweetie Belle said with a desperate smile.
“Spike?” Twilight asked once again.
“Yep, that’s true we were trying to clean up the mess Snips and Snails made. Heh…heh” Spike said scratching the back of his head.
“Anything you two have to say about this?” Twilight said looking towards the colts.
“Yeah what are you up to? Talk! TALK!!” Pinkie shouted.
“We were…well…um.” Snips began.
“We’ve been having a party!” Snails shouted in fear “Don’t let the scary pony get us!”
“Ugh, you two are free to go.” Twilight said.
“As fer y’al,l” Applejack said angrily “Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves disrespecting Twilight like that.”
“It was Spike’s idea.” Applebloom protested.
“You should all be ashamed.” Twilight said glancing over to Spike.
“You go clean this up while we discuss a little problem we have.” Rarity said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike started cleaning up the remnants of their party while the mane six huddled up and thought of a plan.
“I for one think we should never go outside again.” Rainbow Dash started.
“I second that.” Fluttershy whispered.
“Girls, you’re looking at this the wrong way.” Rarity stated. “If there are changelings here then we need to act as though we are completely normal to not arouse suspicion.”
“That’s right.” Twilight agreed. “Rarity and Applejack take your sisters home tell them to stay indoors. Rainbow Dash take Scootaloo home. Pinkie Pie and I will head into town and get some food. We may be here a while.”
“Twilight can I go check on my animals and tell Angel Bunny to watch over them while I’m gone?” Fluttershy asked.
“Sure, okay everyone meet back here in one hour no later.” Twilight said.
So they temporarily parted ways and Twilight and Pinkie Pie went into town. All seemed normal but Twilight kept a lookout. She knew when Changelings transformed they always had one thing different than the pony they change into. Pinkie for once was calm, which was both a good and bad sign. As they got into town square Twilight ran into a certain mail pony.
“LOOK OUT!” Derpy shouted as she crashed into Twilight.
*Thud*
“Oops sorry Twilight.” Derpy apologized.
“Oh, not a problem Derpy.” Twilight said with a reaffirming smile.
That smile, however, quickly became a look of fear as Twilight looked at Derpy. She had the same blonde hair, same goofy smile, and same coat color. But there was something wrong with the center of her face; two somethings actually. Her eyes would have looked the same to any other pony other than Twilight due to her observation skills. They were the same color, size, and in the same place on her head. But Derpy was looking straight at Twilight…
WITH BOTH EYES AT THE SAME TIME.