The Adventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders - Fillies on a Mission!

by Wolfie 03


Chapter 18 Dealing with a little storm of Chaos

It was the worst punishment the fillies had ever had; even after three weeks of being grounded, they were still very much in trouble. Even Sweetie Belle's parents, who were normally laid back about most things, agreed that traveling out of Ponyville without telling anyone was bad and she had to do a lot more chores than before. Apple Bloom had to deal with her grandmother ramble on about the previous dangers of the world along with so many chores that she often didn't have the energy to do anything even if she could.




What both fillies knew was that their last friend had it much worse; because she had told the six noisiest mares in Ponyville that she no longer had any parents, Scootaloo had to go into hiding. Staying at the Clubhouse was no longer an option since Applejack would just force her to either stay with the Apple Family or go back to the orphanage; there was no way Scootaloo wanted to stay with some other adult and to top it off, Rainbow Dash had been searching for her for a good while.




All the searches and grounding got to the point that Scootaloo took a trip on her own to explain to their martial arts teacher that they wouldn't be allowed to leave town anymore; he responded with gifts and reminders to keep practicing for the trio. After giving the gifts of bansai trees and a dogi for each filly that had both his symbol (a bonsai tree against a setting sun) and the Crusader symbol on it, Scootaloo went undercover, doing more night work than before and making whole new hideouts that weren't as secure or warm as her old ones.





If there was one thing Scootaloo did know, it was that a pony had to have their education to get anywhere in the world; Derpy had signed her up for school and it was the one thing Scootaloo wasn't going to miss out on. Not only was it a way to actually learn important things, but it meant that she could see her friends; even if they were grounded.

It was in the school yard that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were talking about the weather when Sweetie Belle was escorted to the school by her sister.

“Ah'm tellin' ya Scootaloo, it was startin' tah rain chocolate milk! My Sis' was havin' trouble with it and our crops started actin' weird too.” Apple Bloom was waving her hooves to emphasize her point just in time for the two unicorns to hear it.



“That sounds yummy!”

“That sounds dreadful!” The trio of fillies looked at the older mare in surprise; Rarity had gotten into an argument with Applejack when they had collected the Crusaders from Apploosa about why the girls kept getting into trouble; it was odd to see her concerned about what was happening on the farm.

“Does Applejack have everything in hoof?” Rarity leaned forward slightly as the fillies shared a surprised look before facing the older mare once more.

“Well, Ah don't know; she was mighty worried about it all.” Apple Bloom pondered the situation at the farm a moment longer before glancing towards the school as the warning bell rang, signalling all the young ponies that it was soon time for school.

“Come on you guys! Ms. Cheerilee doesn't like it when we're late.” Scootaloo waved to her friends as she led the way to the school house.

“Have a nice day at school Sweetie; I'll be back later to pick you up.... Perhaps I should check on Applejack... It would be the right thing to do...” Rarity mused to herself before heading for the Boutique; if it was raining she had to have the right protection after all! And she did have that new pale lavender coat with matching umbrella after all.


The trio turned in their essays about disharmony to Cheerilee as they entered the classroom; after having gone to Canterlot the day before, they had been annoyed at how closely they were watched and prevented from seeing their friends who lived there. With all the trouble they were in and being stuck at home constantly (or on the run and having to hide from everypony), they had been rather grouchy when they went to visit Canterlot. The result was a page long report and more punishment from their families.





School promised to be boring lectures that day and most found themselves staring outside where the weather slowly got weirder by the minute. Pink clouds gathered while a herd of animals with extremely long legs rushed past; it was at this point that Scootaloo signaled to the other Crusaders and subtly flicked her eyes to the window where things slowly started to get even weirder.

It was as the sky suddenly darkened with a loud uneven cackle that the girls decided to bring their teacher's attention to the growing trouble outside.

“Miss Cheerilee!” Sweetie Belle raised her hoof, pausing the dark cerise mare's lecture on weather around the world.

“Miss Cheerilee, look outside!” At this statement from Scootaloo, everyone in the class looked to the outside and weren't sure of what they were looking for.

“So it's dark outside; it's probably going to rain.” Diamond Tiara sneered at the Crusaders who all rolled their eyes; before Cheerilee could comment on the young pale-gray filly's tone of voice, the trio of friends responded.

“Yeah, but Ah've never seen chocolate milk rain!” At this the rest of the class took a closer look and found that something was indeed wrong, and was slowly getting worse. As they watched, the ground changed colors, turning into a pink and white mixed with blue and white checkered patterns.

While their classmates started to panic with their teacher trying to maintain order, the Cutie Mark Crusaders huddled together to try and figure out a plan.

“What are we gonnah do, y'all?”

“Who would do all this?”

“How do we stop it?”



The trio paused as they managed to come up with more questions than answers; the odd weather and sudden mess was making them lose focus and caused them to remain at this point of the discussion for a while longer.

“We have to know who's doing it before we could stop them!” Scootaloo frowned at Sweetie Belle who responded with a frown of her own.

“Just because we could find out who it is doesn't mean we'd know how to stop it?” Apple Bloom cut in and was just about to respond when they heard their teacher over the din.


“Calm down everypony! We need to remain calm and find a safe place for shelter.” As Cheerilee put a hoof to her chin in thought, the Cutie Mark Crusaders suddenly found themselves aware of their surroundings and the fact that their classmates were in danger; they may have gotten used to a little danger, the others had not and protecting others was one of their main goals now.

Apple Bloom looked to her two friends who stopped fighting and they all nodded in agreement; protecting the others came first! But they weren't sure how, Ms. Cheerilee may have said to find a safe place but the town was slowly become crazier.



As the trio searched the area, they found themselves looking at the Everfree Forest; they tilted their heads in unison before snapping to where a voice called for their attention.

“Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Are you guys alright?” the trio went to the doorway of the school unnoticed since their teacher was still trying to calm the other students; they found Eripio galloping up the walk way.

“Eripio! What'cha doin' here?” The girls ushered their friend inside as the green filly panted for breath before answering.

“There was a huge need for all Rescue Clan members and when I tried to divine where the trouble was, it led me here. Then I remembered that this is where you three live; do you have any idea what's going on?” The Crusaders led their friend to a corner so no one would notice an extra filly and make her leave.

“No, we don't know and we want to get everyone else to safety first before finding out.” Scootaloo replied as she checked on what everyone else was doing; most of the other foals were gathered around the older mare who in turn tried to reassure them while trying to think of a safe place to go.



“I see... It looked like most of the town was under whoever's control, we'd have to lead them outside of Ponyville.” The girls tilted their heads in unison as they looked at their other friend who was looking out the window.

“We?” Eripio turned back with a grin that the girls couldn't help but share.

“Well yeah! No way am I letting you guys do it without me and I like helping others too, remember? What's with the forest? Does it normally look like that?” The Crusaders looked to where the purple maned unicorn pointed with a hoof and nodded.

“Yeah, that's the Everfree Forest; it always looks like that but it can be real dangerous; why?” Apple Bloom asked as the others shared knowing looks; they weren't the only ones to find that the forest hadn't changed even as the rest of the world did it seemed.

“Well, considering how every other thing around here aside from the buildings is now a shade of neon colors, I'd say it's safe to assume that the forest is actually the safest place to go... The Everfree Forest, you said it was called?” Eripio asked softly as the four girls turned to look at the others in the room as they continued speaking softly with one another.

“Yeah...” Sweetie Belle raised a curious brow while Eripio tapped her chin briefly in thought.

“I think I read a book about odd magics in Equestria and it said something about how some Everfree Forest had its own kind of magic; setting it apart from the rest of the world and seeming to be unnatural to pony kind.”

“Yep, that's what my big Sis' said about it; but our friend Zecora lives there just fine an' we've gone in it a few times ourselves...” Eripio nodded before turning to face the Crusaders who stared back expectantly; the green filly came up with good plans and it was no different this time.



“Alright, so here's the plan, if you think it will work. You guys take everyone to the forest and we find a cave or something for them to stay in. If it dangerous due to monsters or beasts, two of us will fight them off while the other two keep the group going. Once they're hidden away, we can try and figure out what's going on with the town and how to stop it.”

“There were some caves in the forest we can use... But are you going to be one of the ones leading the way? Our classmates don't know you like we do...” Sweetie Belle pointed out to which Eripio rubbed her chin some more and gave the girls a contemplative glance.

“Who would your classmates trust the most to lead them someplace? I wouldn't be able to handle the beasts on my own, otherwise I'd say we should have all three of you lead the way.”

“What if we led the way but when a monster did come by one of us would break off and take care of it with you? That way they see all three of us but we can still help you fight?” Scootaloo suggested which received nods of approval.

“Alright, if this works for everyone then I'll head outside and follow behind you guys; good luck!” After the normal short farewell, Eripio snuck out of the school to hide in the bushes that were right by the doorway; the Crusaders drew in a deep breath and gathered their courage to speak in front of all their classmates, it had been a long time since they tried to do anything in front of others.



They trotted up confidently to their teacher, shoulders back, heads held high and a strong look in their eyes; the other foals noticed the change and stepped aside to allow them to reach the older mare. Cheerilee noticed the silence and found the trio standing in front of her; before she could say anything the trio stated their idea firmly.

“Miss Cheerilee, we know of a safe place to do.” Sweetie Belle started, with Scootaloo taking over after her statement.

“It's the only place that hasn't been effected by whatever is going on outside.” Scootaloo firmly stated as the two other crusaders nodded.

“We promise that it will be safe, y'all just need tah follow us out of here to reach it.” Cheerilee took in the confident faces of the fillies before her and glanced once more outside where the land started to shift, slowly making hills and valleys that weren't there before.

“Alright girls, lead the way. Everypony! Please follow me in an orderly fashion, we're going to a safe place!” it took another ten minutes before everyone got into a proper line, during which Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon complained about having to follow the Cutie Mark Crusaders to which Cheerilee scolded (bringing private joy to the trio of fillies).



Once everyone was ready, the Crusaders led the way out and along the edge of town; a hard feat to do as more parts lifted up to become hills while some kept going, removing themselves from the ground to float in the air. The trio tried to focus on getting the others to safety and not on what was going on or how it was happening; as a precaution, they tried to sneak as much as possible which drew some ire from the other foals but after they watched one pony get chased by a cotton candy cloud they went silent and just followed along.




It was as they started to head for the Everfree Forest that Cheerilee came forward to speak with the fillies.

“Girls, where are we going?” the trio flinched, knowing that the older mare wouldn't like their answer but tried anyways.

“We're goin' tah the forest.”

“It's safe, we promise!”

“Yeah, and besides, it's the only place that has been changed at all! We would be safe from any of this weirdness in there for sure.” Scootaloo added her own bit as they tried to convince their teacher who stared back hesitantly; they had valid points but they had been told for so long to avoid it that it was sure to raise some eyebrows.

Cheerilee searched their faces and found only determination; As she watched the scenery around them change (plants popped up in weird designs), the older mare nodded slowly.

“Alright girls, but please be very careful!” The Crusaders nodded and continued to lead the way out of town.

“Why are we going into the forest?! I thought it was dangerous and nopony was to go there.” Diamond Tiara sneered at the trio who stared back firmly; due to the danger they were all in, they weren't going to stand for Diamond Tiara's sass.

“Yes. It's the only safe place.” The girls stated in unison which caused Diamond Tiara to blink in surprise before scowling.

“Whatever...” Diamond Tiara was the only one to voice her worry as the others merely followed their teacher who in turn followed the girls into the dark forest.



They stayed in two lines as they began their trek into the woods; there were fourteen other students not including the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with Cheerilee (and hidden in the bushes was Eripio using a detecting magic as well as her eyes to search for trouble). The first few miles were quiet, showing no sign of trouble though all the other foals were shivering in fear as they followed the Crusaders.

The darkness began to surround them while they followed the path as it disappeared and reappeared every so often; the Crusaders remembered passing a cave when they first came into the Forest in search of a lost chicken, they figured it would be the perfect place for their classmates to hide.

The sky above the forest remained slightly gray as clouds settled across the special forest, oblivious of the cotton candy clouds hovering over the nearby town or even some of the other weird clouds covering Equestria; wind blew through and almost covered the sounds of the beasts that reside there.



Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom all searched among the trees around them, looking for both the cave to take shelter in and for any creatures that may pose a threat to them; what gave them a start was the voice from behind them.

“What was that?!” Silver Spoon shouted from her place beside Diamond Tiara, both of whom were right behind their teacher who was at the start of the double line, following the Crusaders.

The trio of fillies jumped slightly and looked around the woods, trying to spot anything that would have scared the silver filly but couldn't see anything.


“This was a stupid idea! Let's get back to Ponyville!” Diamond Tiara exclaimed as well, making the leading girls glanced back before continuing their search of the surrounding area.

“Ssshhh! Quick an' we'll tell ya what it was!” Apple Bloom scolded the pink filly before their teacher could; Cheerilee scowled at the response but due to the possible dangers remained silent.

The trio of girls listened and watched their surroundings for a moment longer before relaxing and nodding to one another.

“I'll go and make sure nothing's wrong; be right back.” Scootaloo stated as the others waved to the group to continue following them. Cheerilee didn't like the idea of one of the girls breaking off but before she could say anything Scootaloo seemed to disappear among the foliage.



“Was that a growl?” Silver Spoon looked to her right with a quiver in her voice.

“Nah, yer hearin' things.”

“Are those eyes!?” Diamond Tiara pointed a hoof to their left while the two leading girls waved dismissive hooves to the bully.

“No no, it's the sunlight reflecting off of something.” The whole group paused as a yowl sounded through the air before cutting off sharply.

“What was that?!” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon shouted together as they grabbed a hold of one another in fright, the rest of the class weren't in much better state.

The two leading fillies shared a look, concern flashing across their face too fast for anyone else to see, though Cheerilee caught sight of it slightly and frowned in concern as well; within moments the two friends deadpanned the two bullies as they replied together.

“It was just the wind.” By this point, the two bullies were annoyed at being dismissed and clenched their muzzles shut. Scootaloo appeared from the right (opposite from where she had entered) and nodded a greeting.

“Yeah, it was nothing; don't be such a scaredy pony.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes as the trio began to lead the way once once more into the forest.




The trio continued and ran across two more instances of beasts, each of the Crusaders got a chance to fight off monsters with Eripio. While Scootaloo had fought Timberwolves, Apple Bloom fought a baby Cragadile, and Sweetie Belle fought a young Cockatrice (who had backed away at the mention of Fluttershy). No one else was the wiser about what happened in the bushes on either side of the traveling group; after another half hour of walking, they found a cave that emerged from the ground.

“Ewwww! What lives in there? How do you know if it's safe?!” Diamond Tiara whined as she peered into the cave that the Crusaders pointed into; upon hearing the whine, the trio of fillies rolled her eyes.

“We promise it's safe, ya got tah go inside.” As the two groups of fillies faced off, the older mare stepped forward with a frown of her own.

“Girls! That is enough; everypony, let's get inside the cave.” Cheerilee clapped her hooves before leading all the class inside; once the Crusaders were out of sight, Eripio stepped out of the foliage, slightly scruffy from the almost constant fights.

No matter what the girls told everypony else, the Everfree Forest was a dangerous place to travel in; Eripio didn't mind however, it was for a good cause.

“What now?” Sweetie Belle looked to her friends after giving the area a quick glance to check that it was safe for the moment.

“We can't keep fighting off the things that live in here forever...” Scootaloo glared at their surroundings as Apple Bloom looked towards the cave.

“We don't even know if the cave is actually safe either...” The young farmer whispered to her friends.

“We also need to figure out who's doing all this and stop them.” Eripio looked in the direction of Ponyville only to find the sun suddenly dip down and the moon to shoot upwards instead; the four girls blinked in surprise before nodding in determination to one another.

“Alright, we'll set up your classmates in style in the cave; make them a fire and figure out if there is a reason to be worried about the cave exit. Once that's done, we'll head into town and find out who's doing all this.” The fillies nodded once more before gathering firewood to bring to the cave entrance, as a source of light and to ward off predators.



Their teacher was impressed by their fire making skills and started to teach the foals about fires and some of the plants; she felt that it would help the kids feel more at ease and lessen the fear while still keeping an eye on the fire. While most of the others were occupied, the four adventurous fillies went deeper into the cave, hoping that it was a dead end and perfectly safe to leave their friends in.



As they traveled further and further down the tunnel, the hope of a small cave slowly died and they started to make their way more cautiously; while Cheerilee hadn't noticed the four sneaking off, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon did see them and frowned at the sight; they would have tried to follow but their teacher did see the two fillies attempting to do so.




After sneaking further down for another ten minutes, the tunnel started to lighten, something that puzzled the girls. Once they turned a corner the tunnel brightened rapidly as they found themselves in a large cave with a silver-blue tree with dark silver leaves glowing in the center of the cave; it pulsed slightly with power, relaxing the girls with a sense of peace. Eripio tilted her head along with the others (with only a slight thought of how she was becoming in sync with them) as she pondered the magical aura that filled the cavern.

“Girls, I think this is what's making the Forest so different from the rest of Equestria...”

“Ya think?”

“I think it's something that's good...”

“Yeah, it's a pretty cool tree and all, but we need to get out of here and help Ponyville!” Scootaloo nodded towards the exit opposing where they just came from.



The others shared a nonplussed look before shrugging and nodding towards the pegasus. As one they circled around the glittering tree and found themselves at the bottom of a ravine; it took them a moment to find the exit in the dark but it helped that it suddenly lightened up (the moon and sun switched once again). They spotted a long winding staircase and followed the trail away from the ruins of a castle, heading back to town.





It was easier to travel with only four ponies in their group, going unnoticed through the forest and passing by groups of beasties that huddled together in fear of whatever was going on in Ponyville. When the girls got to the edge of the forest, which had still remained normal looking (normal for the Everfree Forest that is) they found an almost unrecognizable town; sure, the ground color was still the same blue, pink and white checkered board but there were a lot more hills and more pieces of land (with houses!) floating in the air. Before the four girls got a proper look at the town, the sun and moon switched places plunging the land into darkness.



The four friends stared at one another in shock, they didn't know of anything that could do such things.

“This is absolute chaos!” Eripio stated with a vague wave which gave the Crusaders a start of realization; Eripio turned to find her friends looking at one another in worry.

“What is it?”

“Chaos....” Sweetie Belle whispered as the three friends looked guilty.

“So?”

“Confusion...” Apple Bloom whispered as she peered into the gloom.

“Yeah, we're pretty confused... ?”

“Very evil...” Scootaloo muttered as she watched the moon dance in place before switching with the sun once more.

“What's going on?” Eripio flatly asked while the trio glanced between themselves once more.

“Discord...” They answered the green filly in flat tones to which Eripio's blue eyes widened in shock.

“Oh. That might be too big for us to fight...” At this the girls stood straighter and half-glared at the green unicorn who deadpanned them in return.

“You want to try anyways don't you?” Three heads rapidly in agreement while Eripio sighed.

“Alright, alright.... Let's go and make a plan along the way...” Eripio followed the others as they marched confidently forward and tried to not to be distracted by the very weird sights around them.



As they quietly planned among themselves, they watched from the corner of their eyes buffalo in tutus pirouetting around the ground, a pony with crazed eyes flying in the sky (without wings no less!) and pies flew into the sky.

Just as they were running out of ideas, there was a flash of light and a clap of rubber duck squeaking; once the girls cleared their eyes from purple polka dots, they weren't sure they were seeing the creature before them properly. The Crusaders felt their spirits fall as they recognized the lion's paw, eagle's claw, snake tail along with bat and feathered wings; Discord laughed at the mixed reactions and flipped over to looked at them upside down as he sneered.

“Hello there my little ponies! Here to play the hero?” The girls frowned at the draconequus and got into tense stances, something that made Discord break out into laughter as he held his sides.

“Oh ho! You think four actually think you can stop me? Me? The spirit of Chaos and Disharmony? Oh ho ho ho!” The girls gave each other weary looks before gaining a determined glint in their eyes; without a second thought or a word, the four fillies jumped for the draconequus who disappeared in a flash of light with a clap of camera clicking sound.

The girls landed in a heap while Discord appear over them as he tapped his chin with a claw.



“You know, I would almost feel bad for you...” Discord put on a sad look as the girls disentangled themselves from one another to growl at the being of Chaos.

“Oh yeah?! Well, you should worry for yourself instead!” Scootaloo tried to threaten while Discord smirked before regaining his 'sad' face.

“Oh I don't know... Being attacked by a pegasus who can't fly, a unicorn who can't use magic, an earth pony who doesn't fit in with her own kind, and another unicorn who can't save anypony doesn't fill me with fear.” Discord smirked at the falling faces of the girls before him before standing up right and strolling along the ground around them.

“Well, well... Even if we don't stop you, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony will!” Sweetie Belle tried to remain optimistic even as the others drooped from the draconequus' words; at the reminder of their family and friends, the other fillies stood straighter (with Eripio making a mental note to ask about it and how they knew the bearers of the Elements); this sentence only caused the mean spirited spirit to break into cackles once more.


“Ha ha ha, Oh ho ho ho, you, you really believe that! You are just too pathetic!” The girls gave him a sharp glare which caused him to raise a brow at the sight.

“Those silly ponies will never be able to stop me; they can't stop fighting amongst themselves to do anything to me!” This caused the girls to gasp in shock before Apple Bloom stepped forward.

“Yer lyin'! They're the best of friends who would always win in the end!” While the others agreed, Discord disappeared once more to appear in four miniaturized sizes next to each filly in order to pinch their cheeks as he coed at them.

“You're all just adorable in your faith! I broke their spirits rather easily; it won't be but a moment to do the same to you!” Four pairs of eyes widened at the threat and the girls tried to back up into a protective circle only to have the Discords flash into one giant Discord once more and wave a lion toe at them as they froze in place due to his magic.

“Ah ah ah! Not like ANYTHING you can do would actually have an effect on me, but I'll go ahead and freeze you just so you know how utterly helpless you four really are.” Discord leaned forward to somehow look all of them in the eye with his own swirling ones, which in turn caused the girls' eyes to swirl.


As the girls stood paralyzed from their fears being lived out, Discord gave one last evil laugh before teleporting to rest on his thrown in the center of town, over looking his new domain.



The four fillies took no notice of this as they watched their deepest fears play out before their eyes and in their minds.


“Git outtah here! You and yer new fangeled 'ideas', yer've ruined our crops!” Applejack glared at the young farmer, who crouched down as her family faced her in a straight and frowning line.

“Bu-but! Ah was tryin' tah help!” Apple Bloom tried to defend herself only to have her grandmother step forward giving her a stern look.

“Ya went too far from tradition while ya played with yer 'friends'! Yer ain't no Apple, Apples don't leave the farm! Ya decided yer friends were more important!” Apple Bloom's lip trembled as she started to back away slightly while her 'family' pushed forward and was slowly forcing her off of the farm.


Scootaloo was inside a storm; lightning flashed around her while the clouds rumbled their anger. Winds buffeted the cart she was riding in as she was being pulled along in the sky; vague forms ahead of her were lit up briefly as lightning flashed while a bolt shot them and caused them to fall.

“Noooo!!!” Scootaloo rushed to the edge of her cart, knowing that she wouldn't be able to save them but reached a hoof out anyways. In desperation she jumped from the already descending cart and tried to fly her way over to the other figures when suddenly a gust of wind blew her off course and knocked her in the now rapidly falling cart. Being knocked around and in pain, Scootaloo couldn't do anything as she fell through the air aside from screaming for help.


Rarity, Pearl and Magnum were unconscious, their forms resting under a pillar that had been knocked over. Sweetie Belle stood nearby, trying in vain to lift the extremely heavy pillar from the forms but did very little to help.

“... Sweetie Belle.... Use, your magic...” Rarity's weak voice drifted over Sweetie Belle's sobs, making the unicorn pause in her efforts as she tried to focus on levitating the heavy rock.

After a long ten minutes of pure effort, Sweetie Belle collapsed next to her sister as her tears returned.

“I can't... I can't make it work... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” There was no reply from the still figures.


A three storied building was burning in the night, flames jutting from windows as members of the rescue clan and fireponies tried to save as many as possible and put out the fire before them.

Eripio watched in horror, keeping her eyes on a particular window on the third floor where the fire had yet to reach or so it seemed. Within moments, a flicker of orange grew into yet another inferno in the window the green filly so desperately watched.

A scream of denial and pain sounded from near the young filly and Eripio turned to find a soot covered mare standing nearby with both hooves on the side of her face as tears stream down.

“Noooo!” Eripio flinched at the sound and sight, taking a half step back which drew the mare's attention to her. The earth pony dashed forward and grabbed the terrified unicorn filly, giving her a rough shake.

“It's all your fault! How could you?! We trusted you! It's all your fault!!”

“No... I'm sorry...! It wasn't me... Please, I'm sorry...”


A flash of light suddenly appeared, blocking out all sight and sound aside from a large whoosh as a wave of harmony and balance spread across the land. As four fillies slowly blinked their eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden return of Ponyville and it's restoration, they heard shouts of joy and relief that were so loud it was as though the entire land of Equestria was rejoicing.



The four friends looked around and found themselves just where they had been when they tried to face off with Discord, except that they were surrounded by six familiar faces that seemed relieved to find them coming out of their trance.

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo all leapt to their corresponding big sister (or in Scootaloo's case, big sister-like figure) and gave them a tight hug as their tears started once more; Eripio hung back until it became a giant hug between the six older mares and four fillies which she had needed even if she wasn't going to explain why. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle started to try and explain what they saw as the hug continued.

“Y'all said Ah wasn't family -”

“You were trapped and I couldn't -”

“- an' that Ah had chosen mah friends over family -”

“- my magic wouldn't work and -”


Applejack and Rarity shared a swift glance of concern before tightening their hold on their sisters; even though Scootaloo hadn't said anything, she got a tighter hug from both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy who had stepped forward when she had remained silent. Eripio was still in the middle of the all the hugging but was too distressed to try and comfort her friends.

“Apple Bloom, ya know we'd never say yer not family; family is forever.”

“Indeed; and while there may be times that get the best of me, it is unlikely that I would remain 'trapped' for long. You have nothing to worry about.” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled up at their sisters before burying their heads into their coats in order to both feel safe and to be sure that it was real this time.



While Twilight and Pinkie looked on, the lavender mare remembered that the girls were originally in class at the time Discord's takeover; as much as she hated to break the moment of bonding, she was slowly growing concerned for the other foals and Ms. Cheerilee.

“Girls, where are the others? Your classmates and teacher?” At the question, four older mares looked at the girls in surprise as they remembered the same fact; the girls had been in school before this whole thing started.

“An' how'd y'all get out here trapped in Discord's spell?” Applejack demanded of the fillies who looked sheepish at what they had done.



“Welllll....” The girls took turns explaining how they led the class to the Everfree forest for protection and had tried to come back for help (they had a feeling that stating how they were originally planning on taking Discord down was not going to help them and went for a half truth); the older mares were surprised at what the girls had done and tried to do. With only light scolding, the six friends went into the forest to retrieve the other foals and Cheerilee who was not happy that the trio had run off into the forest on their own.



Once again Eripio slipped away while the older mares weren't looking after getting more hugs from her friends who promised to write to her and wanted to be sure she would be ok heading home on her own. After feeling better by this and reassuring the Crusaders as well, Eripio made her way back home to Manehatten, intending to write another letter to a certain mom, even if the mare wouldn't respond ever again.

After being lectured on leaving the group behind as well as the dangers of the Everfree Forest (which they were pretty much sure was overblown on purpose now, considering how often they had gone into it), the girls had a sleepover at Sweet Apple Acres for old time's sake as well as a means to reassure one another about what they had seen; they knew they weren't about to forget having fought Discord for a long time....