//------------------------------// // Forest // Story: Red Comet // by Aragem //------------------------------// “Crap, looks like one of the drones were damaged.” “How damaged is it?” “Computer says that something collided with it. There’s damage to the shelling and its having internal problems. I don’t think it’s going to make it back. We’re going to have send a squad to collect it.” “Very well, but send them out when it gets dark.” “There are reports that say it’s going to rain tonight. It looks like a very heavy storm.” “All the better, rain will give them extra cover.” “Yes, sir.” `~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Well, ain’t today jest a buck inna face.” Applejack muttered as she stared up into a tree checking it for any loose branches that would likely fall in a storm. “First Miss Cheerilee’s mother is doin’ poorly and then there’s nearly a fight in the market and now both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are in the hospital and nopony knows how they got hurt.” “Ah thought that Rainbow Dash fell on Pinkie Pie.” Applebloom offered as she collected a few fallen apples and dropped them in a saddle basket. “Naw, she fell in the pillow and mattress cart and broke her wing. Pinkie Pie got struck by lightning. I s'pose that Rainbow Dash did somethin’ foolish and played with lightning.” “What do they say happened?” “Rainbow Dash c'n’t remember on account of the bump on her head. Doc says that she’s lucky she didn’t just plain break her head open.” Applejack trotted to the next tree checking the branches carefully. “Pinkie Pie keeps talkin’ ‘bout a floatin’ eye ball. Whatever that means.” “Applejack, it’s still sunny. Mebbe Ah could hurry on over to Zecora’s...” “Applebloom, Ah said no and Ah mean no.” Applejack shot her sister a firm look that broker no further argument on the subject. “Now ya c'n help me out here or ya can go inside and help Granny Smith.” “Ah think Ah’ll go inside with Granny.” Applebloom stomped her hooves and tossed her head in the air. “At least she treats me better, than muh dumb ole sister.” Applejack stomped a hoof, but let it go. Applebloom was still a young filly and takes disappointments harder than an adult pony would. She was certain by tomorrow, this will have been forgotten and they can move on with friendly terms. Right now, she had to concentrate on getting this apple orchard ready for the storm. Applebloom was kicking fallen leaves out of her way muttering about the unfairness of having big sisters and how it wasn’t right to treat her as if she was a little foal. Soon, she would get her cutie mark and then let’s see Applejack try to order her around. She didn’t see the shadow following behind her, moving over grass and fallen apples as it drew close. A metallic pair of pincers drew from beneath a gray circular disc and opened wide as a snake's maw about to strike. Applebloom squealed as her hair bow was seized by a vice like grip. She was nearly lifted off her hooves as the ribbon was yanked from her red mane. The filly fell heavily onto the grass and she looked up to see her pink bow being carried away by a metal claw. The claw was being drawn into . . . nothing. She hopped onto her hooves and galloped after it, hollering, “Hey, you! Give that back t' me!” The invisible thing ignored her and her ribbon was drawn inside it. The round floating disc whorled shut and then disappeared. If she squinted she could see the shadow trailing along the ground and that the light wavering above it. It would be difficult, but if she concentrated she could follow it. And follow it she did. Applebloom had to watch carefully, more than once she lost sight of it, and just as she was about to give up, from the corner of her eye she caught the shadow skimming the earth and then she would renew her pursuit. She gave chase through the orchard and away from the farm. And then into the Evergreen forest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “I’m tellin’ ya, Twilight, I don’t just fall like that!” Rainbow Dash shouted, once again wearing a green hospital gown with a bandage around her wing. “At least, not like last time. Something happened up there!” “I’m sure that you didn’t mean to fall.” Twilight Sparkle replied soothingly as she set a stack of three Daring Do books on the bedstead for Rainbow Dash. “Pinkie Pie, how do you feel?” “Mmmm-hmmmm-mmm-mmmm.” The muffle response came from a mummified figure lying on the next bed over. All that could be seen of Pinkie Pie was her flamboyant hair, her large eyes and hind hooves. “What?” Twilight stepped closer to Pinkie Pie’s bed side. “I don’t understand.” Pinkie Pie made a motion of rubbing her tummy. Her eyes beseeching Twilight and then she made a motion of cupping something in her hooves and bringing to her mouth in an eating motion. Then she looked pleadingly at Twilight with watery doe eyes. “Pinkie Pie, I don’t think doctor will be okay with me going to the Cakes and getting you a super duper chocolatey chocolate cocoa cupcake with licorice pink frosting with pink sprinkles and a vanilla spoon stuck into the frosting.” Twilight offered Pinkie Pie a reassuring smile, “But I’m sure we can throw you a get well party when you and Rainbow Dash are out of the hospital.” “Hmph.” Pinkie Pie grunted as she curled up on her side in a pout. She had been pouty since she had been admitted into the hospital and everyone laughed off her tale of a floating eyeball that shot electricity. “Twilight, can’t you cast a spell to help me remember what happened?” Rainbow Dash pleaded, her hooves pressed together as she begged. “I could, but I shouldn’t while you have a head injury. It could make things worse and it likely won’t work.” Twilight made a mental note to look up memory spells. Maybe she should write a report on them. “Maybe your memory will come back in time.” “Yeah right.” Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs and glared at the far wall. “And I’m going to miss out on the storm tonight. Great.” “It’ll be alright. I’m sure they can handle it.” Twilight reassured her as she headed to the doorway. “I would stay longer, but I write a letter to Princess Celestia, and do some research on a red comet I saw last night.” “Mmm-mmm-hmmhmmm!” Pinkie Pie’s head popped up from her pillow. “Alright, I’ll look into floating eyes too.” “Twilight, how are you able to understand her?” Rainbow Dash cocked her head curiously. “I...I don’t know.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Where am Ah?” Applebloom looked around and couldn’t see anything that looked familiar. This wasn't part of the forest that she had visited before on her visits to Zecora's hut. The invisible thing that stole her ribbon had disappeared into the shade. She had been able to follow it by watching its shadow crawl along the patterned shade of the sun beaming through the overhead leaves. Now that the sun had lowered and she had come to the thicker part of the forest, there was no sunlight, just a thick darkness that was almost suffocating. She wasn’t fearful; right now she was more concerned with the harsh scolding she was certain to get when she returned home. Maybe Applejack won’t find out that she entered the forest. It stilled rubbed her wrong that whatever it was, it stole her ribbon and pulled her mane, but it looked like there was no way she would find it now. Oh well, maybe if she went back the way she came. . . .but what direction was that? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The rain had begun dotting the window as Twilight Sparkle began writing her letter to Princess Celestia. Dear Princess Celestia, I learned that sometimes a friendship can transcend the boundaries of language. I feel so close to my friends, that I understand their wants and needs almost as well as my own. I was lead to this discovery when I was able to understand what Pinkie Pie wanted despite her being incapable of speech due to being struck by lightning and I brought Rainbow Dash the books I knew she would want during her stay in the hospital. She also got hurt in an accident, we still not sure of what happened. I also learned that friendship can also ease the pain of grief and pain. My friend Cheerilee’s mother has become sick and sadly, it’s not expected that she will recover. I walked Cheerilee to the train station and promised to take over as substitute for the school while she’s away, though I fill that it would be better for a professional to take over during her leave. She looked better, though still sad; I feel that my support has eased her pain temporarily. I hope that my presence of myself and others will be here to support her when she returns. I think I may have the students make condolence cards for her. Also, I hope that you know of somepony that could take over for Cheerilee until she is able to resume teaching. I can handle a few days with the lesson plan that Cheerilee left behind, but I believe that she will be on her leave longer than what the plan provides. Your Faithful Student Always, Twilight Sparkle Spike had sent off the letter just as there was a knock at the door. It was past dusk and the storm was brewing over Ponyville. An echo of thunder thrummed through the sky as Twilight Sparkle opened the door to see an anxious Applejack standing before her. She felt a flash of déjà vu as she remembered just this morning another friend came to her under not too happy circumstances. “Applejack, what’s wrong?” “Has Applebloom come by? Ah c'n’t find her anywhere.” “No, I haven’t seen her all day.” “Oh crud. Twilight, she’s gone missin’. She tole me she was gonna go help out Granny Smith at the house, but Granny tole me she never showed up. Ah been at Rarity’s ‘case she went there t' visit Sweetie Belle, but they ain’t seen her either.” “Oh no. Do you know where she might be?” “Ah’m thinkin’ she mighta went t' Zecora’s, but that was the first place Ah looked and Zecora said she didn’t come by. I’m thinkin’ she might have gotten lost.” Twilight Sparkle felt a shudder crawl along her spine. It was getting dark and the storm was making its presence known by distant flashes of white light. Not to mention all of the dangers from the monsters that dwell in the forest. “We’ll need to get Fluttershy to help us. She knows the Evergreen Forest better than most ponies.” “That’s what Ah thought too. Rarity says that she’ll come meet us at her boutique if we’re gonna go out lookin’.” “Spike, stay here. We’ll be back soon.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Hey! Anypony hear me!? Zecora! Applejack! Somepony! Please find me!” Applebloom felt the fingers of panic clutch at her heart. Hours had passed since she entered the forest and she hadn’t found any familiar markers or the path she usually took to Zecora’s. Several times, she would see a malevolent of eyes in the bushes or the sound of something large rustle the foliage and she would gallop off in terror. Now she couldn’t hear anything against the thrum of heavy rain and roar of thunder overhead. She remember it being said that if you were lost, it was better to stay in one place, but if she did that, she would surely freeze to death or a monster would devour her. Applebloom pressed on despite her body shivering uncontrollably and the rain in her eyes. Lightning flashed, causing her to yelp in fright, but then she saw it. A hollow cavern inset against a rock cropping. As she approached, her hooves treading through a deep puddle, she saw that it was a small cave, but big enough for her. It was a slippery climb, but she managed to make it onto the rocks and go inside. It smelled of earth, grass, and there was a stench she couldn’t quite place. It didn’t matter; it was dry and would give her chance to rest and get warm. The filly collapsed onto her stomach and let out a deep sigh of exhaustion. She tried not to think about her warm bed back on the farm, as it only made her feel colder. Her coat was damp with her mane and tail soggy and plastered to her body. The cold seemed to reach through her skin and into her very bones. She just had to wait out the storm and once it let up, she can resume finding her way home. Likely the other ponies were looking for her now. She would have to be patient, wait, maybe sleep, and breathe raggedly..... Her eyes open wide. That ragged sound wasn’t her breathing and the filly noticed the warm air blowing on her back. She was too afraid to move, too afraid to look behind her. The young filly froze in sheer terror, a basic instinct to stay still during danger kept her in her face. But the snarl that came from maw inches from her ears made her frozen stance snap. With a scream, she fled, her hooves scrambling against the slick rock as she threw herself back into the cold rain and mud. She fell, skidding across the mud that clung to her body and matted in her mane and tail. Mud splattered into her right eye, but her left eye could see the wild cat stepping out of the cavern, red eyes bright and focused on her. Applebloom struggled to stand, but her hooves scrap futilely through the mud. The wild cat moved with ease from the rocks, the rain wetting its thick grey coat as it approached her on huge paws with razor sharp claws. It swiped at her, and its paw nearly her size swept through the space she occupied one second before. She found her hooves and fled into the under bush. She heard the wet splashes in the puddles as it gave chase as she dashed through bushes, over fallen branches, and under arching roots. The brambles scratched her legs and the leaves and twigs snagged her mane as if to haul her back toward the predator. The wild cat followed easily, never falling behind more than a foot behind her. Her legs ached and it was getting hard to breath, but she didn’t dare slow down. She knew that if she did, the wild cat would kill her with a mighty blow from its paw. Then she saw the gaping hollow log before her and she knew it was her only chance. She flung herself inside and crawled forward with all her might. The wild cat growled in frustration as the log was too narrow for it to follow, but its paw could fit in easily. Agony swept over her flank and the filly gave a throaty scream as its claws left long bleeding lines along her side and flank. It was trying to pull her out with its claws. “St. . . stop!!!! STOP IT!!!!” It reached in and Applebloom shrieked as its claws pricked at her flank again. She had to pull forward, to pull her flesh through those sharp claws that put knives to shame. She’d imagine a far worse fate if she didn’t. “Ap. . . .Applejack. . . .help!!!” Blood stream down her flanks, staining the log’s interior and making the wild cat’s nose flare excited and hungry, it rattled off a throaty snarl as it reached in again, but this time, the filly had managed to crawl almost beyond its reach and the claws harmless clipped her hooves. The snarl reverberated within the narrow log, giving the illusion that it was all around her. The middle was narrower than the openings, and the wooden interior scrapped against her wounded flank making her squeal. She stopped, laying her head down and just panting, the pain making her head swim and nausea was stroking at her stomach. The wild cat gave a frustrated hiss and Applebloom heard it move away. It heavy paws created soft pats in the muddy ground. Please, please, jest go away and leave me be. I wanna go home. I jest wanna go home. She took a long breath, waiting with her heart thudding in her chest. Her flank throbbed painfully, making her hind hoof twitch. Should she try leaving now? Did it give up? Then the log started rocking. She yelped as she was bodily tossed against the rough interior. There was a throaty scoff, and then the log above creaked and small chips fell as a heavy weight settled on the wood from above. She cringed, ducking her head and cover it with her hooves. The log rocked again and again tossing her body back and forth against the log insides. She gritted her teeth, struggle to keep her nerve, not to break out in a panic and run out of the log. That’s what it wanted. Then her world started spinning. And the view outside of the ring of wood before her began changing dramatically. She realized that she was spinning downhill. The wild cat must have pushed the log and her down a slope that she hadn’t noticed before. Applebloom closed her eyes and prayed for it to be over. Then freezing water flowed in all around her, seeping in through the open ends of the wooden tube. The water was rising to her neck; she had to get out lest she drown. She pulled and kicked through the narrow passage her flank in agony as it scraped against rough wood. When she reached the opening, she hooked her forelegs over the edge and pulled her head and shoulders out. She was in the river and to her horror; the wild cat was standing at the bank watching her. And as the river carried her downstream, it followed along the bank. “GO AWAY!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!” She screamed as the water swept her along, though it was doubtless that her voice could be heard over the roaring thunder, falling rain, and gushing water. The wild cat followed, its eyes glowing red in the darkness. Then the log smacked against rocks, nearly slinging her out. Her head duck down below the waves and she came up spitting out water. The water was so cold, too cold to stand. The log caught between two closely grouped rocks, and she clung to the rocks, the water lashing at her body. The current was too strong and deep for her to swim and she had never been a strong swimmer. And even if she managed it, the wild cat was waiting for her. It was getting hard to hold on and she was sorely tempted to let go. She was so tired. Maybe further down the stream it could become shallow, but if that happen, then the wild cat would simply wade in and grab her. Her body would be too numb to flee. And if she stayed, she’ll died from hypothermia or drown. Was she going to die here? This was how she was to end her life without ever getting her cutie mark, not seeing Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle again? Never see her sister, Big Macintosh, or Granny Smith? No, it wasn’t fair. She shouldn’t die like this. Warmth touched her face as large tears rolled down her cheeks. “Ah don't wanna die...” Then she heard the wild cat yowling and as she turned her head toward her stalker. She saw a stream of red shoot between the trees and hit the cat in the side. It hissed, its body flaring as its fur bristle, and then it turned and loped off crashing through the foliage. Her relief only lasted seconds as she saw the source of the red light break through the shadows. They were tall, taller than a pony and stood on two legs. Their bodies were angular and plated with metal; their heads were slanted with large glass like eyes that flared with an orange light. They stood at the bank and they were looking right at her. She stared back, hoping they would go away. One of them drew a rope from its waist and handed it to the others. Then it began wading into the water, its long legs disappearing beneath the flowing currents. She whimpered with fear as it came closer and closer, the water reaching midway up its chest. The others held the rope taut, feeding it as their brethren came up to her. Applebloom should feel terror, but she was beyond the point of caring. She just wanted to sleep, and the water made her body too numb to feel the wounds on her body. It would be easier to let go and let the water have her. Hands much like Spike’s grasp her at the waist and lifted her up and her body was held against a cold metal chest. The relief in her body after straining for so long to hold on was exquisite. Then she fell into blissful unconsciousness as the thing carried her back to land.