//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: The Werewolves of Equestria // by Applecrisp //------------------------------// Applejack was still laying in the tent, she had butterflies fluttering around in her stomach she didn't want to hurt her friends, she never wanted to hurt her friend. The images of fighting Rainbow Dash started to get stronger and as she started to remember the fight more and more vividly, she didn't want to remember what happened that night. As much as she wanted it all to be a dream it wasn't and she knew she would have to deal with it eventually. Applejack knew the rest of her friends would find out sooner or later. But she didn't want that to be anytime soon. "Might as well get some fresh air while I still can." Applejack said to herself. "Fresh air might clear ma my head." She crawled out the tent and peeked her head out and looked up at the sky seeing the sun glare down. She turned her head to look down from the blinding sky, and what she saw was Twilight packing her bags. "Twilight what are ya doin'?" Applejack asked. "Obviously it's too dangerous out here, so we are heading back to Ponyville." Twilight replied Inside, Applejack's heart skipped a beat, she knew what would happen if the moonlight hit her and she knew Ponyville wouldn't be safe if she changed there. Applejack glanced at Fluttershy, but she respond with a worried shrug. All Applejack could do hide her nervousness was to nod in agreement. Applejack saw the rest of her friends get up to pack, AJ turned around to grab her belongings,she thought if she had to leave she would want to get there before dark. Applejack grabbed all of her things including the werewolf/Lycan book. Everypony threw all their belongings on the wagon Rarity had brought. "Okay, then who's going to pull the cart?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Not it!" Applebloom and Scootaloo shouted in sync. "OH come on!" Sweetie Belle yelled. They headed back to Ponyville. Applejack kept starring at the sky and barely ever looked at the road. Soon Applejack tripped on a stone in the road and started rolling down the hill. Pinkie pie gasped and started hopping down the hill and stopped Applejack before she hurt something. The rest of the ponies started running down the hill, while Sweetie Belle was being dragged down hill by the wagon. "Are you okay Applejack?!" Twilight asked, rushing to her side. "Ya, I'm fine." Applejack responded, wiping off some dirt. "Thanks Pinkie" "Aw, it was no big deal." Pinkie replied, waving a hoof in the air. "Great! Now that we are all okay, how bout we eat some lunch?" Rainbow asked. "Rainbow we just left an hour and a half ago." Twilight responded. "It wouldn't hurt to relax a bit." Rarity said. "It is really nice out today," Fluttershy said, earning her a worried look from Applejack. She caught the look and quickly amended her statement. "Or maybe not... we should keep going, it will be nice when we get home too." "But my dear, you never pass up the idea of a beautiful picnic day." Rarity replied, in shock. "But after last night are we sure we should stay here?" Fluttershy replied, her ears flattening as she hoofed at the ground. "Oh stop being such a worry wort a few minutes to get a quick snack is no big deal!" Pinkie Pie said, cheerfully rusting the mane of Fluttershy. Applejack felt sick at the thought of not getting home on time. She glanced at Fluttershy hoping for some more help, but she knew that there was nothing that could be done. So to speed things up she quickly took out the food set it up and sat down waiting for everypony to finish eating. "Ya'll wont take to long to eat right? We just ate not to long ago." Applejack asked, her eyes shifting quickly to anything but her friends. "No, why?" Twilight asked curiously. "You are acting a little strange right now, its a beautiful day relax." "But after what happened last night wouldn't it be safer to get home before sundown?" "Nothing to worry about AJ, unless that creature is following us. And even if that's the case with both you and me we should have no problem taking it down. I mean I could do it by myself but you get it point." Rainbow said flexing and stretching her muscles. "And even if we were to take no breaks I doubt we would get back to Ponyville before sundown." Rarity said fanning herself. Applejack's stomach felt like it was moving up her throat, she new Rarity was right, especially with this break, there was no way they were going to get to Ponyville by sundown. They would have to spend another night camping out. "Hey you alright? You're looking a little pale?" Pinkie Pie noticed. "Yeah, yeah I'm good. I just need some water that's all." Applejack replied. Fluttershy brought over some water and sat next to the pale orange pony and sat in concern. "Hey Applebloom, your sister has been acting weird is she okay?" Sweetie Bell ask "Ah, ah don't know she is acting a little funny I guess but like she said... she just needs some water." Applebloom replied unsure. Everypony sat around with concern looks on their faces, but they also tried to act like everything was alright and everything was going to be alright. They finished eating and ate rather quickly do to Applejack's concerns. Soon they packed up and heading down the trail again getting closer to Ponyville. It was a rather hot day with only a couple of clouds in the sky, birds chirping away butterflies fluttering around them, the sweet fresh smell of the outdoor air. And sweat dripping of the poor little Sweetie Belle not dragging, but being dragged by the giant cart of suitcases and supplies. Everypony trotted at a normal pass except for Applejack who was ahead trying to move as quickly as she could. After a couple hour of walking and small conversations, especially of what had happened that night. The sun was at its highest point in the sky and brought even more heat upon the ponies causing them to slow down. "Uh, maybe we should take a small break." Twilight said exhausted, and fell to the ground. "AGREED!" Everypony shouted back in relief, all except for Applejack. Applejack was sitting antsy and couldn't keep still while everypony else was sprawled out on the ground relaxing and trying to cool off. "Whats with you today AJ? Did that creature freak you out that much?" Rainbow Dash said. "No, it's just... wasn't it your guys idea to leave? Because it wasn't safe?" Applejack replied defensively. "But we should take a break! That meanie isn't around right now so we are safe." Pinkie Pie replied cheerfully. Applejack ignored Pinkies comment and walked over to a rock that was distant from everypony else and sat there waiting for them all to get back on their hooves and get moving again. It didn't take long before Fluttershy came to sit next to Applejack and wait. "There is a chance." Flutteryshy said breaking the silence. "Of?" Applejack asked. "Of you changing, it might not happen." "And if it does?" "We are your friends, we are here to deal with it. We are here to help you." "Ah, ah can't go hurtin' my friends." She said "It won't happen'!" "You're right, it won't." Fluttershy replied. Applejack couldn't make eye contact and just stared at the ground, her eyes watering up and her hooves starting to shake. "I will keep your secret as long as you like, but you can't keep this secret forever." Fluttershy said sympathetically. Fluttershy wiped away Applajacks tears and gave her a big hug. Nopony else noticed what was going on except for the three fillies watching from a distance. "Why is Fluttershy hugging Applejack like that?" Scootaloo pointed out. "Maybe there was a bug on her back, or its just to be friendly?" Sweetie Belle suggested. "Maybe... but something is going on, and I'm going to find out what." Applebloom said stomping her hoof on the ground.