Back at the hide away, Scootaloo was by the stream looking up at the moon and stars hoping Honey-Crisp was alright.
Appleseed was pacing around presumably hoping the same thing. Every so often he would look up at Scootaloo taking a step closer but then returning it, remembering what his owner had said about how he had scared her, and continued pacing.
After a while the bushes began to move, making Scootaloo jump and turn her attention to what was coming to meet them.
"Honey-Crisp?" Scootaloo asked surprised and slowly walking up to the little filly, holding her hand like she saw the others do earlier. "So wait... Where's Mac?" she asked leading Honey into the middle of the hide away too keep an eye on her, backing up a bit when Appleseed came to greet his daughter.
'HHHOOOWL......'
Scootaloo and Appleseed's eyes widened at this as they looked into the part of the forest that came from.
"That's the path Mac took," Scootaloo said worried holding on to Honey-Crisp for comfort and to keep her safe.
'HHHOOOWL......'
Suddenly, Appleseed ran off towards the call of the wolves.
"Wait," Scootaloo called. "Great, now what?" she said returning to the stream, letting Honey sit next to her, tears in her eyes.
*
Even though Big Macintosh was the strongest person in Ponyville, he never had to fight off a pack of wolves before.
Every time he got one wolf off him, one of the other two would replace it their claws and teeth scratching and biting him, making him wince each time.
"Now listen here you demons, you leave me alone," Mac said. "I'm just in here looking for someone, and then I'll leave." he said but he said it on deaf ears as all three came at him this time.
The first two Mac knocked away but the third one working out that the thing holding that sick was what was beating it's pack mates, opened it's mouth and bit it's teeth into Mac's wrist making him release the stick.
"AAGGHH..." Mac screamed holding his wrist, when the wolf let go, blood was dripping from it, crouching due to the pain.
Just as the wolves were about to make another attack, Appleseed came out of the trees reared up, legs swinging attacking the wolves, making them retreat.
Mac's vision was starting to go, due to the pain and the blood loss, but he saw that Appleseed had won the fight and was coming to see if he was alright.
"I'm ok dad..." Mac said panting, reaching out his good hand. "Please, go... go get help, take Scoots back and get AJ," he said loosing consciousness.
*
In the hide away Scootaloo thought everything was going alright until.
"AAGGHH..."
"Macintosh!" Scootaloo cried getting up and running to the opening in the trees. "Mac!"
Silence.
Scootaloo was worried, the only person who new these forests was lost in them and by the sound of it, had just got attacked. Scootaloo was wondering what to do. Should she go and try and find him or help, or should she stay here and see how it turns out.
She was about to go and help when a cry came from behind her.
Honey-Crisp was pacing now, her head bent low as if saying sorry for causing this.
Scoots looked between the forest and Honey wondering what to do. As she took another step to the forest, Honey-Crisp called again, almost begging her not to go. Then a thought her dad had said once came to her...
"Unless you face your fears you'll be grounded your whole life. When the time comes, face them, and concur them."
Scootaloo took a few deep breaths, and then slowly walked back to Honey-Crisp holding out her hand again. "It's ok girl," she said looking Honey-Crisp in the eye. "Everything's fine..." she said smiling as Honey licked her hand. "Hey you guys aren't that bad, are you?" Scootaloo asked rubbing Honey-Crisp affectionately.
Suddenly Appleseed came back into the clearing went up to Scootaloo and started circling around in front of her.
Seeing how upset he was Scootaloo didn't question him and got on his back. After a few seconds to make sure she was on right, she tapped the sides of Appleseed and he and Honey-Crisp ran out of the forest, and back to Sweet Apple Acres.
Everyone was still wide awake waiting for any news or sound that Mac had returned.
Applejack, normally one of patience and happy, kept looking up at the clock, tears slowly and quietly running down her cheeks.
Suddenly fast hoof steps could be heard coming up the drive, getting everyone to head to the door.
"Scootaloo?" Applejack asked coming up to Appleseed and helping her down.
"Quick, please," Scootaloo said in a bit of panic. "Mac's in trouble, we heard wolves, then Appleseed ran off to find Mac. A bit later Honey and me heard him screaming, then Seed came back all panicked up and brought us back here." she said retelling the story as fast as she could.
"Right," Applejack said fixing her hat on her head. "Come on Fluttershy."
"But, I... I only had one lesson AJ." Fluttershy said joining her friend by Appleseed's side.
"The best way to learn is by doing," Applejack said setting Nutmeg up. Then turning to the girls said "One of you take Honey-Crisp back to the barn, and keep her there, and safe." she said getting onto Nutmeg, waiting for Fluttershy to get onto Appleseed the first aid kit, her on her back.
Once they were ready Appleseed led them back into the middle of the dark forest.