//------------------------------//
// Loyal to the Honest 
// Story: Winona's Adventure: Beyond the Everfree 
// by Silent Wars of Minds 
//------------------------------//

I looked out the dusty window of the barn attic. Applejack had been gone for quite a while now. Along with everybody else. Only Carrot Top came to feed me. But I missed Applejack. That and the fact that I can't play outside. Did Applejack forget how I must burn out my energy? Today was the third day without Applejack. The third day without going outside.  Felt as if I could push all of the ox in the world! Of course, the ox wouldn't like that. They hate everything. You probably didn't know that. Us pets know a lot more than you ponies do.
I should introduce myself. It is polite to do so. I am Winona, Applejack's dog. I work here on the farm everyday. No weekends for just chillin, but I honestly don't mind. Working gets out the energy. That's why I was feeling jittery while looking out that dirty window.
I removed my paws. They left a mark in the dust, showing that "Winona's been here!". Applejack may scold me later. That will be when I regret it. But for now, it did not matter. I dashed down the creaking old stairs. I had seen nothing new in front of the barn. It was still all organized and in place. Applejack still wasn't back. She must have gone on vacation, along with Applebloomm and the others. I hoped it was not for a week. I padded up to the door of the barn where Applejack had locked me up. "Hello? Anyway there?" I barked. All I heard was the echo of my bark. Nothing replied. I started to pace back and forth in front of the barn door. I was eager to get out. To see Applejack. Even Applebloom, Big Mac, or Granny Smith would be fine. I just wanted to be free again. I was pacing when I heard a clicking at the side of the barn. There was a door there, one for ponies. I could hear it slowly opening, groaning each second as it did. 
"Applejack?" I barked to the visitor. I ran over as fast as my long legs could carry me. 
"Please let it be you," I muttered. I could feel my muscles screaming at me. They were stiff. I made it over to the door, my tongue sticking out and myself panting. 
"Oh, hello there Winona," a familiar voice greeted. It wasn't Applejack. It was Carrot Top. I whimpered a little in disappointment. The yellow mare trotted over to my food bowl, which I had barely touched. She shook her orange mane.
"Oh you poor dear. You must miss Applejack and the others."
"Yes!" I whimpered. Carrot Top rubbed my head a little. She was gentle and kind to me, and even though she wasn't Applejack, she was still a great pony.
"Applejack warned me about this. It is never good." Carrot Top thought for a moment. I could tell she was thinking, for she was looking up. Her eyes were transfixed on one object. They stayed there for a couple minutes. Carrot Top was thinking hard.
"Maybe I could bring you a friend. Would you like that?" Now it was my turn to think. This friend would be a pet. What pets does she have access to? Only her pet squirrel, Flyer. He was a nice friend, but his high pitched squeak drove me insane!
"Sure!" I replied, but I knew she could only hear my bark. Carrot Top laughed gently.
"Alright then. I hope that's a yes! I'll bring you a friend tomorrow. Now try and eat your food."

Tomorrow slowly came. I did eat some food, if you are wondering. I spent the rest of the afternoon pacing and looking. It was quite boring. The next morning, when Carrot Top came, I was ready.
"Winona, I brought you your friend!" No need to introduce. I already know who it is. But she went on anyway.
"Winona, meet my pet squirrel, Flyer. I believe you have met before." We did, one other time. That was during Pinkie's party. Let's just say there was karoke and end it at that. Flyer scurried over to me.
"Hello again, Winona. Been a while," Flyer greeted. He was smirking.
"Just don't start singing karoke and I won't try and eat you," I answered. His smirk stayed, and I think I heard him laughing a little, but I ignored it. I was glad to have someone to talk to. Who understands me. Carrot Top is okay, but, again, she's no Applejack.
"Well, it is nice to be able to talk to someone. I've been going insane!" Flyer nodded.
"I would too, if I was left alone with no one but myself. Although, I do like to pratice karoke sometimes when Carrot Top's not around." Typical Flyer. He dreams of flying. Of becoming the greatest singer known. Those things won't happen, but he still dreams about that. Flyer has a good imagination.
"So why is everybody gone?" I asked. I was sure Flyer would know from the latest squirrel gossip. Squirrels pick up on a lot of things. He thought for a moment, the same way Carrot Top thinks.
"I heard there is a new princess. Twilight Sparkle is her name." I knew who he was talking about.
"Twilight Sparkle? She's the Element of Magic! Greatest magic caster ever known! That's honestly not a surprise." Applejack told me all about the Elements of Harmony. She's the Element of Honesty. And yes, she's very honest. You can tell when she is lying.
"I wish I could go outside," I mumbled. Flyer hopped up onto a rail. His bushy brown tail flicked a little.
"I could help you out." I stared at him.
"How?" There were only two ways out. The front and the side.
"Hidden holes. I am great at finding them!" Hopefully not like the karoke great. Cause that's not great. Flyer scrambled down the pole he was resting on and began running along the side. I looked over at Carrot Top. She was organizing some hay stacks. Carrot Top used to own a farm, but was more interested in the herb business. I looked back to where I last saw Flyer. He had gone some where else. Where, I did not know until he returned.
"Well?" I asked.
"I found a hole. It's about as big as a hay bale. The hole is hidden behind a hay stack." That would be perfect. It was big enough for me, and it would lead me outside. Then I would search for Applejack.
"Great!" I was excited. I wanted to go out there right now!
"Wait! We have to wait for Carrot Top to leave!" Flyer yelled as I started to the hole. I had forgotten about her.
"Right. When should we go then?" Flyer thought, this time pacing while muttering.
"How about at night? That's the best time. Hardly anybody will notice us." Night was far off, but I also did not want to be caught.
"Alright then. We will leave tonight." Tonight I will find Applejack.