//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: In the end, your not alone. 
// Story: A Kezzerdrix in Equestria. 
// by inum76 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 5: In the end, your not alone.

If you could change one's fate, would you? If you knew how life would turn out, would you do it all again?

Some say we create our own fate. But our fate is also the resulting actions of everyone and everything around us. 

As much as you may wish it, your fate is not always up to you.

It is said some have a gift to tell when something bad is about to happen.

As we are about to see. It brings the question of, "What if?"

So, what if things where to go differently?

~~~~~~

We head back to the game in play at the park, before a moment in time when something does change during it. We get see where life's fate can and does change by one young filly who intervenes, and prevents an unfortunate event from happening.

~~~~~~

As the game proceeded, the ball made its way to Trooper. He bolted for it, giving it a strong head but back to the center.

"Nice block Trooper!" came from Plunk, as she hoof-pumped to show her enthusiasm.

Not paying good enough attention to the ball, Plunk found herself having to dart for the ball as it was about to sail past her overhead.

Bouncing off her nose as she made a last second leap, the ball found its way down a distant hill.

In some frustration in letting it get by, Plunk turned to do her part in retrieving the ball she failed to block.

As she did the voice from one of her friends told her to "Stop!" It was Dazzle.

The rather confused filly Plunk turned back to ask, "Why? What's going on?"

Dazzle told her, "Not sure why, but something didn't feel right just now. I got this funny feeling, you know?" 

looking in the direction the ball went. Dazzle for some of the few times, did not have a smile on her face. She looked back to Plunk "We can get it together," then smiled once more. But a smile that looked more of concern than happy.

Dazzle was not telling Plunk the whole truth. 

True, she did not know why, or how. What she was not telling Plunk is she felt Plunk would die, and horribly, if she went alone. 

But Dazzle did not feel it would happen if she went with her. She was not sure what to make of it herself, or what it all meant, but she did not wish to tell Plunk what she felt. 

Such a claim Dazzle felt would be hard for Plunk to believe. She also believed if Plunk was told, she might treat it like a game and quickly take off to prove Dazzle wrong. 

Dazzle did not wish this to happen, not now of all times, not after what she just felt. She felt she needed to keep Plunk near and safe.

Trooper came over. "Something happen?" He looked over to Dazzle "You looked like someone just died right in front of you for a moment. Is everything OK? Is this still from this morning?"

Plunk closed her eye. "Dazzle just seemed concerned is all. She wants to come with me to get the ball, for some reason."

Trooper looked harder at Dazzle, then back to Plunk. "I'm going too. I don't like it when Dazzle gets like this. It next to never happens. It's been happening more of late however. It's scary, how she looked a moment ago. It's the worst I have saw her. That worries me."

Plunk gave in. "Okay, okay. I get it. The two of you can come along. Far be it for me to dispute one of Dazzle's mysterious prophecies of doom." Plunk stood up and waved her front hooves forward in the air. "Oooooo..."

Trooper scolded her for this display. "Don't make light of it. Look what is in that direction, off in the distance. It's the Everfree Forest. Weird and scary things live in there."

Plunk gave a grimace. "I guess you are right. Sorry." She scratched the back of her neck. "It is rather far away though. I don't think it will be that dangerous. From what I was told, next to nothing ever comes out of it. Still, if you both want to come along, I am not going to stop you."

Dazzle smiled some more. "OK, let's get the ball together." It did make Dazzle fell a little better with all three of them together.

The three of them headed down the hill to fetch the ball.

While coming half way down the hill each of them took note of all the bushes and sparse trees here and there. Plunk thought this was going to take some time. Turning to Dazzle Plunk suggested, "I could use this height and circle around to see if I can spot it from in the air. It would be faster."

Dazzle felt a sharp ping run down her spine. Shaking it off, not knowing if it was her new and rare sense of things while making her spine and tail twitch, or just feeling nervous at the idea of leaving the adventurous pegasus's side at the moment. Either way, it just didn't feel good to her. 

She voiced her opinion on this. "No, I want you right here where I can see you. You're not going off on your own. Not this time."

Plunk interjected, "I will just be up in the air. You can still see me while I have a look around, and if I see anything, I will come right back. Promise." 

Being a little hopeful she sounded convincing; she gave Dazzle a big grin.

Dazzle stomped a hoof. "I said No! And if you try to fly I will just pull you down. My magic has been getting a little stronger, and you know I can do it. All I have to do is tug on one front hoof or a wing to throw you off anyway, and down you go. I have done it before, so don't tempt me." 

Dazzle looking straight at the now flustered pegasus with her own face bordering frustration, she hoped Plunk would not dispute this further.

Trooper piped up. "Don't argue with her Plunk. She most never gets like this. If She is this worried, probably best to stay put. Besides I think, I see it. Look down that path. It's far looking, but I do think that's the ball," he stated while pointing.

With her slightly better vision, Plunk was able to make out what Trooper was pointing to. "Yes, that's the ball all right. It's going to take a while to get to it if we don't run."

Trooper looked to Dazzle. "Do you think it is okay to get?"

Dazzle thought for a moment, and searched her feelings."I think so, as long as Plunk doesn't get ahead of us. let's go."

The three of them took off down the rest of the hill and across the path ahead to the ball.

Plunk plopped a hoof on one of Trooper's shoulders "Nice job Trooper with spotting the ball. Your eyes are almost as good as mine." She grins widely as she said this to him.

Coming to the ball, all three of them surrounded it. Each looking down at it as if waiting for it to move or something. 

Plunk asked, "Now what?" 

Almost as if on cue, all three of them heard a screech of a voice in the air. 

"Wow, that's spooky," Plunk stated as all three stood straight up, and looking about. 

The faint voice seemed to come from behind Trooper on the other side of some bushes between two trees. All three advanced cautiously to the bushes.

Taking a peek over, they spotted a hole in the ground, a big one. A cave opening.

The voice sounded again coming from right inside. It sounded sort of like something in distress to them. 

Plunk stated, "We should go help! It might be somepony hurt down there." Plunk walked near the entrance, while looking in.

Dazzle cried frantically, "Getaway from there! None of us are going in!" 

Plunk was startled by Dazzle's outburst and quickly scurried away from the entrance, back to Dazzle and Trooper's side.

Trooper stepped closer to Dazzle. "So what do we do? Plunk's right. Somepony may need our help. I don't want to leave anypony behind, sounding like that."

Dazzle thought for a moment. "The two of us stay here and keep an eye on that cave while Plunk flies off to get some adults. We are not to go in. Any of us. I don't care what it sounds like."

Plunk squinted her eyes at Dazzle as she leaned over to her. "I get to fly? Seriously? What happened to me not leaving your side?"

Dazzle gave a sigh."You can go, just not down there. Besides if someone is hurt down there, I agree somepony may need help. And you are the fastest of us. Just get back soon, OK?"

Dazzle shook her head while looking at the cave. "I don't know why, but I'm scared, mostly of what might be found down there. Maybe somepony is hurt, and maybe something down there hurt whoever it is. I don't want us to be the ones to find out."

Plunk narrowed her eyes more to Dazzle. "You have been spooked this whole time, and possibly all morning. I know there is something you are not telling me. I guess it is just as well we get someone else to have a look down there."

Taking a step back, Plunk unfolded her wings. "OK, I will be back as soon as I can with some help." 

leaping into the air, She buzzed back to the park where all the others were playing.

Plunk reached the park. She looked around for someone to get. She questioned as to how she is to explain all of this. She was not too sure what to say.

Plunk sat and thought. "OK, someone seems trapped in a hole and likely needs some help. I guess that is all I need to say, really. I am sure that is enough to get someone to come with me. Besides, I don't know much more than that anyway."

Plunk looked around more for someone to tell. She saw four ponies talking together. It looked to be Cheerilee, Twilight Sparkle, some big red pony; Big Apple Mac she thinks it is and his sister Applejack. She did not know the last two all too well. Still, those four should do, she thought to herself.

Twilight and Applejack was laughing as Cheerilee finished telling them what the Crusaders did to her and Big Apple Mack on Hearts and Hooves Day. 

AJ heard it all before from her big brother. She does love him, but had to admit Cheerilee was a much better storyteller than the big guy. He may be big in heart but not in expressing himself, at least not about such things, as she knew of him. Cheerilee's telling of it was much more humorous to her.

Cheerilee was the first to noticed Plunk approaching, and went to her. "Hello, Plunk. Enjoying the week off?"

Plunk approached her with a bit of a grimace. "Sort of, Miss Cheerilee. I got a problem."

Cheerilee tried to look understanding and willing to be helpful. "Oh' what is it?"

Plunk pointed back in the direction she came. "My friends and I found a cave and heard a voice coming from it. We think it is someone that needs help. Can anyone come and check it out?" 

Plunk glanced about at all four of them while looking hopeful.

Twilight, Big Mac, and Applejack stepped in a little closer. Twilight asked, "Did you say, you think someone needs help?"

Plunk looked to Twilight. "Well, yes. Someone I think is possibly hurt in a cave."

Cheerilee stated, "Oh' my. Well that sound serious. I think we can have a look." She turned to look at the other three. "What do the rest of you say? Willing to go and take a look?"

AJ nodded. "If'n somepony is in need of our help, I reckon we could at least go and check it out."

Big Mack just gave his usual, "Yep," with a nod.

Twilight stated, "Well that settles it, I guess we all go. Lead the way Plunk."

Twilight knew her name. Dazzle mentioned it to Twilight while Plunk went with Dazzle to check out a book awhile back. Just three weeks after Dazzle and Plunk meet. 

Plunk was not too big on books before. Dazzle attempted to convince her to get into them. She told her that there was lots of neat stories to read, and things one can learn from them. 

Plunk took the advice. After Dazzle had read one story to Plunk, she felt Dazzle was on to something. Books at school where boring. These proved much more to her liking.

After, Plunk started to check out a few on her own. Adventure stories were her first big taste of reading outside of school and liked them a lot. However, secretly, she found love stories to be more her passion, though she never admitted it to anyone. Not even to Dazzle, not yet.

At the library Plunk and Twilight got to know each other some. Plunk also fund she liked Spike. And it was her first time ever seeing a dragon.

~~~~~~

Back at the cave.

Time past as more faint sounds kept coming from the cave below. Trooper leaned in a little to get a good look. "That is one odd voice. Not sure what it is, but it still sounds sad, hurt and scared, I think. Can't make it out, or of it saying anything either."

Dazzle pointed out, "All the more reason for us not to go in."  

She took a step back as she looked at him. "I would like it if you were not so close." Trooper stepped back from it then turned to join Dazzle in what she thought was a safe enough distance. 

Both content with standing guard and possibly running should anything come out.

Plunk returned with the four other adults. Each already informed on the situation.

The four that came entered the cave that sounded off with another scream of sorts.

The three youngsters stood by waiting to see what would happen, after being told to wait outside. 

That suited Dazzle just fine. But not so much for Plunk and Trooper, wanting to have a look see as well, now that there are some adults around, or at least some much older then them going in.

Dazzle asked Plunk, "How did you get them to come along? Not exactly who I thought would show up."

Plunk shrugged her shoulders. "They were the first I came across. I just told them that somepony or something seems to need help in that cave, and all four agreed to come along with me."

Trooper stated, "I hope they are going to be okay. From the way, Dazzle has been acting toward any of us going in, and that whatever it is making those sounds is not anything I could recognize. I am kind of worried about anyone going in. Guess we will have to wait and see what happens." 

More time passed; then some loud shouts came from inside. It sounded like those that went in, to the three outside. Shortly after, some movement could be heard heading on out.

Trooper yelled, "See! I thought something was not right about this!"

Dazzle just glared at him while stating, “You thought something was not right! What have I been saying all this time?”

Some explosive sound followed as some faint vibrations could be felt from the ground. All three stepped back as to let anyone come out without bumping into them. As they would likely be coming out fast.

The four ponies that went in came running out as expected. 

The last one, Twilight turned and surprised the three little ones by facing the entrance to the cave. Her horn already powered up. After she released a big power blast down into the hole. 

The ground shook a lot more this time as the cave collapsed. The ground seeped in filling the hole. All there stood by watching in awe to see some pony do something like that, all but Applejack who knew what twilight could do already.

AJ indeed had seen what Twilight could do. However, this was a little more than even what she expected Twilight could muster at the moment. Though there was that time, she did float away that big ursa while feeding it. All, while striving to put it back to sleep deep in the Everfree, AJ though on. Who else could have done that, AJ questioned.  

AJ had to admit to herself that this cave crumpling was small potatoes compared to how Twilight handled that ursa.

This purple unicorn new in town known by Twilight Sparkle seemed so much more than a simple young librarian, to the three little ones now.

They looked at her with eyes wide as she approached them. "I got to thank you Plunk for getting us. Whatever that thing was is not getting out anytime soon to hurt anypony for the moment. Good thing too. We just barely got out ourselves."

Eyes still wide looking up at her; Dazzle spoke first with a shaky quiet voice. "I sent Plunk to get someone. I didn't think it was a good idea for anyone of us to go down, but we couldn't ignore what we thought we were hearing coming out of that cave either. What was it that you found? And how did you do that to the cave?"

"First, that was no easy thing to do. It took a lot out of me. Fear was a big factor; it was one of the scariest things I ever saw down there. I really thought it might get us, or at least me. I freaked, and it got me so worked up for a moment, my magic came out as it did. I was unaware I had put that much into it until that happened. Now I feel a bit spent."

Dazzle nodded in recognition. "I know what that's like. Can't say I did things I thought I could, or even liked doing, while really scared, or angry myself. I have seen how my feelings can affect my magic. At least I know I am not the only one that has happened to."

Twilight patted her on the shoulder. "Yes that is one thing to be careful of. It can happen to any unicorn. I even teleported once, without even trying to. Any unicorn with strong magic has to be extra careful."

Dazzle worried a little over this, wondering if she too might just teleport one day without trying to. And if so, where to? 

A bigger question hit her, Would she be able to get back? That info seemed a little too much for her to handle. She no longer wished to think about that possibility for the moment.

Twilight continued. "As for what that thing was, I don't know. I never came across anything like it, not even in the Canterlot archives."

The three of them were in more awe of her, now knowing she came from Canterlot! 

Each of them though on this. A powerful unicorn from Canterlot. What was she doing, being a librarian in Ponyville? 

They each wonder if there was some bigger reason for her being here. Or was she just looking for a more simple life, away from her past? She has been here for a couple of years now. And stories have spread on what what some had seen her do. It did not answer as to why she was here, or being a librarian in Ponyville.

Each of them did their best not to interrupt Twilight, in an attempt to discuss this with each other, or even with her. Even though each of them felt like doing so. They knew Twilight was not yet finished.

Twilight now looked concerned. "Good thing none of you went down there. All of you could have gotten seriously hurt. It might have even killed all three of you or at least one of you for sure. Like I said, it almost got me."

Plunk waved a hoof in the air as if in school. Seeing Cheerilee here made her think of doing that. "What did it look like?" A look of curiosity on her face with eyes still wide waiting on Twilight to answer.

Twilight thought back to create some form of description. "It resembled some form of monstrous looking hare," Twilight stated while focused on the answer she could come up with.

"A hair?" Plunks face scrunched up, feeling confused now.

Twilight paused, putting a hoof to her chin in thought. "Something of the rodent family, more like a lanky tall bunny. Though, this thing was nothing close to Fluttershy's little Angel bunny."

"Oh! I know of what you mean by a hare now." Plunk replied.

The three of them knew little of this Fluttershy she was talking about much less her pets. Least of all, Plunk. They seen her in and out of town at times, and knew her name at the least; that was about it, aside from knowing she was the resident animal and pet caretaker. 

They saw her accompanied by a little rabbit at times. That must be Angel Twilight spoke of they thought.

They also noticed that Fluttershy had mostly kept to herself, but has been seen around a bit more of late. Mostly after Twilight had shown up.

Trooper stepped forward. "What about the voice we all heard? Was it trying to trick us or something? If not for Dazzle, we almost went in ourselves. The thought of it doing that to us is real creepy."

Twilight addressed Trooper. "I am not sure, not without any further study on it. I think it may have been just lost. It might have been trying to call out to others of its kind. It might have even been a mating call for all I know. I could not tell you. Sorry."

Twilight looked over to Dazzle. "What made you want to get us in the first place? Plunk told me on the way here that you had some feeling come over you. Care to elaborate further?"

Dazzle felt she could tell Twilight about this."Yes, I got this odd tingling along my back that makes my tail twitch if I feel something is wrong, real wrong. It has only happened a few times, and every time something bad has happened. Though nothing like today. Today was real different. I didn't like what I felt one bit. It scares me, even now."

Twilight looked at her with a look of grief. "Not, another one!" As she rolled her eyes, "I got a friend that does much the same thing. But she is no unicorn, so I don't think it has anything to do with any unicorn magic you may have. And her tail does not always which due to something real dangerous, only when something is going to fall. Her name is Pinkie Pie and works and lives with the Cakes at Sugar Cube Corner.

All three of the youngster's faces brightened up at the name of Pinkie.

"Oh, so you heard of her?" Twilight inquired, already knowing there answer.

The three said in chorus, "Who hasn't?"

Plunk added, "Pinkie is just the greatest! She throws such fun parties. She even threw one for my family when we first moved here. I heard she does that for every new pony in town. That's so neat!"

Twilight chuckled. "Yes, she is a wild one, not to sure how she does it, but she does indeed strive to throw a party for each newcomer. She even threw one for me. 

"Though, at the time I was a little less than thrilled about it. I did not have the time for a party at that time. I do remember being to yours. As usual, it was fun. That is after I got use to being here."

That part Twilight told them on her first party, gave them more to wonder on as to why she was here. After all, who doesn't have time for parties in this town, the three questioned. They knew Pinkie wouldn't stand for it. She would make sure any and every new pony got one.

Dazzle remembered she needed to finish telling Twilight what happened. She looked back to the collapsed hole in the ground. Then back to the park up the hill. 

She pointed out to Twilight, "Twilight, what I felt; it started up there while we were playing Dartball. Plunk missed the ball. It bounced down the hill. The moment Plunk was off to get the ball; the feeling hit me. I just knew she should not go alone. It got worse after we found the hole and Plunk was thinking of going in."

Applejack stepped in. "It's a darn good thing she didn't, that critter was a 'nuff to give one the willies. I just might have myself nightmares thinking of that thing all night now. Ain't no pony should tangle with such a monstrosity, least of all a bunch of youngins like yourselves, just as Twilight said."

Cheerilee and Big Mac stood by giving a nod, at Applejack's statement.

Dazzle looked back to the cave. "Is it over? I still get a funny feeling while looking at it. Makes me nervous to think that it still might be able to get at someone."

Twilight though about an answer. Though, she was not sure herself what the situation was with it. "Well, it might not be dead. At least I think it could still be alive, according to what you just told me. That is if you can indeed still feel something of it.

"It was fast. It might have gotten out of the way when I collapsed the cave. There is a chance of that. I hit it once so we could all get out while we ran to get away. It did not stay down for long.

"Just to be safe I think we should move along. I think after an encounter like that with me, it might stay clear of any ponies from now on, but I would not fully count on it. It seemed persistent, even after I hit it that one time.

"This park might not be such a good idea if something like that lives so close. We will just have to be mindful of it, and keep watch. If it does not show itself in the next few months, it might be safe to say we will not likely be seeing it anymore. I can only hope that will be the case.

"I also think it to be a good idea to have a fence put about the top of the hill with a warning not to go down. I will have to see the Mayor about this situation."

The three youngsters nodded. Dazzle thought it might be good to get to know her a little better than she has.

Cheerilee said, "I think it would be a good idea if all four of us go to tell the Mayor. It would give the story more credibility with her if each of us were there to back you up on this."

Twilight stated, "That is a good idea. She has got to listen if all four of us tell what we all seen, or at least show we agree on what any of us was to tell her. News of some big, possibly killer rabbit would be a hard one to believe. She will not like this bit of news. Not after just getting the park opened."

Applejack added, "Yes, bad news of this sort does not sit well with her. Not when she put some time, thought, and bits into setting something up. 

"Sorry to say, but my vote will be to have the park closed off for some time. Least, till we are sure that thing will not be showing it's ugly self around here again. Just to be safe. 

"The fence is a good idea as well. I would rather something a little more than just a fence however. We will have to see what the Mayor has to say about it."

The group of seven headed back to the park.

Plunk moved close to Dazzle leaning onto her. "Thank you. I think you saved my life back there. I will try to be a lot more mindful of your intuition. I can see it is no joke as Trooper told me."

Dazzle nuzzled her a little. "It comes and goes. I never felt anything like that before though, or for as long. It was the worst thing I ever felt. 

"The feeling has still not fully gone away, but isn't like it was. I think, I am still a little shaken up from it all. 

"I am just glad you are safe, and nothing bad happened to anyone. Just remember and promise me that if ever going somewhere, or doing something seems a bad idea, or just doesn't feel right, don't do it alone. Trooper and I are here for you. You don't have to act so brave at times and try to prove anything to us. It is reckless.

"We are your friends, and we would rather you be safe. Never feel you are on your own. You are not alone, not with Trooper and I around."

Plunk smiled. "I promise. This ordeal has been scary enough. I don't like to think on what would have happened to me if not for you. You are such a good friend to me. More than anyone has been. I will remember that. I will be there for you as well; you can count on it. I more than owe you for this."

Dazzle shook her head. "You owe me nothing. It would bring me to tears to know you got hurt, real hurt, or even died. I can't imagine, not giving such help to anypony, never mind giving it to you or Trooper.

"I know I was demanding earlier. I was just so afraid of what I thought might happen to you. I couldn't just let you go alone."

Trooper walked up next to Plunk, "She's right. We look out for each other. Dazzle pretty much saved me from going in with you as well. It's the way it is with us. You are no exception. I had my reservations of you at first, but I see I was wrong about you. Your not as bad as I thought. I am glad I changed my mind about you. Your one of us now, and I will be there for you too."

Plunk wiped a tear from her eyes. "Thank You, both of you. Those that I had called friends back in Cloudsdale, were not anything like the two of you. I am glad I moved here, and got to know the two of you. 

"I am starting to get the idea of what it is like to have friends, real friends! I regret nothing on moving, and will try to make it a good life here. With the two of you around, I am sure it will be.

"I am sorry for being such a pain before. I would like to change. I am still going to be myself. But not as what Dazzle said, as reckless. I can be a better pony. I can. I will continue to try."

With that Dazzle nuzzled Plunk some more. "I am sure you will, I always did."

The three walked side by side with each other, while following the other four, each hoping to be able to put what happened today behind them.

The end?