//------------------------------// // Enter Timberjack (part 02) // Story: Flutterbat vs. Timberjack // by flawlessvictory20 //------------------------------// The next morning, as the sun peeked over the lush orchard, Applejack groaned as she slowly open her eyes. When she awoke, she found herself in the middle of east field of the orchard. “How in tarnation did Ah get here?” As Applejack rose to her hooves, she felt her legs stagger to stay vertical. And when she took a step, she winced as her body ached with pain. It felt as if she had been in a fight and lost. She then smacked her lips and tasted dried blood in her mouth. ‘What in Equestria happened last night?’ She then stumbled her way back to the farm. Upon arrival, she found that her friends were at her front door waiting for her to come out. She felt awful about what happened yesterday. She then made her way over to the group, specifically to Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow…Pinkie, about yesterday…Ah’m sorry about yesterday. Ah don’t know what came over me-” “AJ! Where have you been?” asked Pinkie. “Ah was in the east fields,” she replied. “We got a situation,” said Twilight. “What happened?” “Some ponies were attacked last night,” Pinkie explained. “No way! By what?” “B-By a...timberwolf,” Fluttershy squeaked. “What? What the hay was a timberwolf doing in Ponyville?” asked Applejack. “No pony knows,” stated Rarity. Applejack then tapped her chin. ‘Ah wonder if it was the same one that attacked me the other night,’ she thought. Applejack then spoke up. “Well what are we gonna do about it?” “Well, we’re gonna have to catch it before it hurts anymore ponies,” said Twilight. “How are we going to catch it, darling?” asked Rarity. “I don’t know. You’re the expert on wild animals Fluttershy. How do you think we can lure it?” spoke Twilight. “Hmm, I’m not really sure,” she softly spoke. “Maybe we could…well…” “What is it, sugarcube?” said Applejack. “Well, they’re attracted by foul smelling things. Maybe we can just find some things that smell awful and lure it out,” Fluttershy suggested. “Okay then. We’ll need to gather some stuff,” said Twilight. “So what you do girls have?” “I have some old towels from when I dry off after my morning flight,” replied Rainbow. “I have some rotten carrots back home that I was going to throw away,” mentioned Fluttershy. “Ah could gather some of our rotten apples,” said Applejack. “Hmm, there’s some expired milk that I could get,” mentioned Pinkie. “That’s perfect. What about you Twilight and Rarity?” spoke Fluttershy. “I guess I could find something around the castle,” said Twilight. “Would Opal’s litter box help?” asked Rarity. “That might work,” said Fluttershy. “Good. We’ll meet back at the castle later tonight,” spoke Twilight. “Alright then,” said Applejack. “Oki Doki Loki,” smiled Pinkie. “Okay,” uttered Fluttershy. “Right,” acknowledged Rainbow. “Absolutely, darling,” responded Rarity. “Okay let’s break,” ordered Twilight. As they were preparing to leave, Rainbow Dash noticed that Applejack was still limping. “You sure you don’t need to get you to a hospital, AJ?” “For the millionth time Rainbow, Ah’m-” Applejack started. But she caught herself getting angry. She stopped and took a deep breath. “Ah’m sure. Ah’m just tired is all,” she explained. Rainbow then shrugged it off. “Okay, if you’re sure.” “Yeah, Ah’m sure. See ya tonight.” “Later.” With that, Rainbow flew off to get her things. AJ then headed into the barn. Inside, she saw her brother was waiting for her. “H-Hey, Big Mac,” she said, with a sheepish smile. “And where were you last night, AJ?” he asked, in a sort of accusatory tone. “What do ya mean?” countered Applejack. “What Ah mean is that when I went ta yer room last night, you weren’t there and there was a big hole in yer wall.” ‘What?’ “And now Ah here tell of a monster that attacked some innocent ponies. So, Ah’m gonna ask ya again. Where were ya last night?” Applejack looked to the ground in a confused daze. She didn’t remember anything from last night, aside from the weird dream she had. But she knew Big Mac wouldn’t just make something up like that. When she looked up at the house she saw the hole that her brother was referring to. It was then Applejack was starting to get scared. ‘What’s going on?! Ah can’t remember anything from last night. Was it me? Did Ah attack them?!’ Big Mac then noticed his sister started to shake. He didn’t mean to accuse her of anything. He was just afraid that beast might’ve come back and attacked her. He then placed his hoof on her shoulder which made her look up at him with fearful eyes. “AJ, it’s okay. Ah was just worried something mighta happened to ya is all,” Big Mac said, in a calming tone. “But Ah can’t remember a thing from last night,” Applejack explained. “It’s okay sis. Ah was just a little concerned about ya is all. Y’all been actin’ a might strange since yer run-in with that timberwolf.” “Ah know Ah have been. The thing is Ah don’t remember anything about last night. All Ah remember going to bed, then the next thing Ah know Ah waking up in the middle of the east field. Ah’m scared Big Mac.” He then wrapped her up in a caring embrace. “Ah don’t rightly know what’s happening with ya, but know Ah’m here for ya,” he spoke with assurance. She then returned the hug. “Thanks, Big Mac.” “Anytime, sis.” “Well Ah gotta get those rotten apples as bait for that timberwolf.” “Alright, just be careful out there AJ.” “Ah will Big Mac. Don’t you worry none.” With his trademark stoic nod, Big Mac left the barn. As she looked through the disposed apples, she felt a slight ear itch. As she began to scratch it, she notices flakes of wood falling to the ground. “What the-” She then heard the door open. “Who is it?” The timid yellow pegasus Fluttershy then peeked her head into the door. “Applejack. It’s me Fluttershy.” Applejack then turned to greet her. “Hey, Fluttershy. Did ya need somethin’, sugarcube?” She then looked at the ground and shifted nervously. “Um....I was wondering....if I could have some fresh apples?” she asked. Applejack tilted her head in confusion. “Yeah, of course ya can. There some right over there,” she said as she pointed to a cart of fresh apples. “Y’all have as many as ya-” With a quick grin, Fluttershy flew across the room to the cart. “Thanks AJ.” “Not a problem Flutter-” She quickly grabbed as many apples as she could carry and then flew out the door. “-shy… What the hay was that about?” she asked bewildered. -------------------------------- Later that evening, the girls all gathered outside of Twilight’s palace. They each were able to bring something a bait to lure out the timberwolf. “So is everypony ready?” Twilight asked. “Ready!” they all responded. “Good, now where should we set up the bait?” asked Twilight. “How about over there?” Rainbow suggested, as she pointed to the water fountain. “Nah…” the girls responded. “How about over there?” offered Pinkie, as she pointed to a nearby bench. “We can do better,” chimed Twilight. “How about there?” proposed Rarity, as she pointed to the park. “That’s perfect!” they exclaimed. “Now, to set our trap,” said Twilight. They then made their way to the park. Once they found a secluded spot, they put their items in a pile. Twilight then cast a spell on the items that would let them know when the timberwolf was near. “Now, we play the ‘Waiting Game’. We should pair off and take turns to stand watch over the pile while the rest of us search Ponyville for the beast,” spoke Twilight. “Okay, so who’s going to watch first?” asked Applejack. “Applejack, you and Rarity will take first watch. Then Pinkie and Fluttershy will take the second shift. Me and Rainbow will take the final shift. Is everypony okay with that?” “Sounds like a plan,” grinned Rainbow. “Absolutely, darling,” nodded Rarity. “Sure thing,” smiled Pinkie “Okay then. Come on Rares,” said Applejack, with a tip of her Stetson. As the girls were about to split up Fluttershy spoke up. “Um…Twilight. I…um…need to go home. I’m not feeling so good,” she said, before giving an unconvincing cough. Twilight then look at her with a tilted glance. “Really? But you look fine to me,” said a skeptical Twilight. “It’s true,” she said with another feeble cough. “I really don’t want to get anypony sick.” “This wouldn’t happen to have anything with Discord visiting your cottage earlier today, would it?” Twilight asked with an arched eyebrow. “Oh no. I’m…just really not feeling good, Twilight.” Fluttershy then noticed the full moon in the sky. “I must be going,” she said as she flew off toward her home. “Fluttershy wait! Somepony should follow her-”said Twilight. “I’m on it!” saluted Pinkie. She then spun her tail around rapidly like a propeller. Once she was in the air, Pinkie took off after her. “What the huh?” spoke a dumbfounded Twilight. “How is it even possible for her to do that?” asked Rainbow in awe. To that Applejack merely shrugged. “It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it.” “Well even if there’s two of us gone, we can still go forward to catch this thing, right?” inquired Rainbow. “Of course,” said Twilight. “AJ…Rarity you’re up first.” “We’re on it darling,” smiled Rarity “Y’all can count on us, Twi,” smirked Applejack. “Good luck, girls,” said Twilight, as her and Rainbow head off into Ponyville. Applejack and Rarity then found a hiding spot to begin their stakeout. -------------------------------- After about an hour and a half of waiting there was no sign of the creature. Applejack stretched as she let out a yawn. “Where the heck is this thing?” she asked. “I don’t know but I wish it would hurry up. I can’t stand the stench of that awful garbage,” Rarity pouted. “Plus, I’m getting dirty from laying on the ground.” Applejack shook her head and just chuckled. “C’mon, Rarity. It ain’t that bad.” As a gentle breeze blew through the park, the scent of the pile caressed Applejack’s nose. She then began to sniff the air. “Actually, smells kinda good,” Applejack said, as she started licking her lips. “Really good.” “Applejack, darling you can’t be serious. It’s completely disgusting.” She then looked to see that Applejack was drooling. “Applejack, dear. You’re starting to drool. It's rather uncouth.” Applejack then shook her head. “What? Oh sorry,” she said as she wiped her mouth. “It just smells so…” Just as Rarity was about to say something to Applejack, she noticed that the her eyes were starting to glow. “Um…darling. Why are your eyes glowing like that? Applejack then stared deeply at the pile. “Huh what’re you talking about…” she said, as she fell into a trance. “Um Applejack? Applejack…” Rarity called out, while she waved her hoof in her face. “Hey, Equestria to Applejack! Are you in there?” It was then they both heard a strange howl. After she heard the howl, Applejack’s pupils the shrink to the size of pinpricks. “Applejack?” Applejack then felt her world fade away, as a fierce burning sensation soon filled her whole body. “GAH!” Applejack cried, as she fell to the ground. “Applejack!” Rarity then turned to her. "Darling, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Should I go get Twili-" Rarity was cut off as Applejack lifted her hoof to push her away. “R-Rarity...run!” “W-What?” “Please…run away...hurry…before it’s…too late-” Much to her horror, Rarity witnessed Applejack’s transformation. She saw her hooves become encased in timber claw with green vines wrapped around them. The tips of her ears are turned wooden and her back was wrapped in wood. Her eyes then glowed with a lime green hue. Once the transformation was complete, she looks at Rarity and bared her fangs. “A...A...Applejack?” she gulped, as she started to slowly back away. Applejack then started to growl as she backed Rarity into a corner. “Good...Apple- er Timberjack. Nice Timberjack…” she spoke. Timberjack then let out loud roar, which caused Rarity to scream. Just then, as Timberjack leapt in the air to pounce on her. Before she reached her, Timberjack then sent crashing to the ground from a tackle by Rainbow Dash. Rarity then looked to see Twilight running up to her. “Rarity, are you okay? We came as soon as we hear a that loud roar.” “It’s Applejack...she’s turned into Timberjack!” Rarity explained. “No Kidding!” Rainbow mentioned. As she shook off the attack, Timberjack then charged Rainbow and swiped her claw at her. Rainbow then moved away from dodged at the last second. Timberjack then growl as her friends circle her. “Applejack, it’s us your friends…” spoke Twilight. “Don’t you remember us darling?” asked Rarity. Timberjack then leapt into the air and dove at the group with a spinning tackle. On reflex, Twilight quickly formed a barrier around them. When Timberjack hit the barrier she then bounced off the barrier and skidded to a stop. She then charged the barrier and began to claw at it. “AJ please! Snap out of it!” begged Twilight. She ignored her plea and kept swiping at the barrier. “What are we going to do?” asked Rainbow. At that moment, Timberjack was knocked to the ground by a shadowy figure. “What in Equestria was that?!” bellowed Twilight. They then see pinkie running up to them. “Girls! We gotta big problem!” she shouted. “What’s the matter Pin-” Rarity started to ask. They soon heard a familiar hiss coming from a nearby tree. When the girls turned to look, they’re jaws dropped. “No way…it’s impossible!” Twilight said in disbelief. They saw that Flutterbat had returned. Her dim yellow coat was bathed in the moonlight as well as her rough pink mane. With her ears pointed, wings now bat like and her normally gentle cyan eyes were replaced with piercing crimson ones. “WHAT?! Why...how’d Fluttershy turned into Flutterbat?” Twilight questioned. “Well...it was because of-” Pinkie started. Just then she was interrupted by the sudden appearance the loveable spirit of chaos, Discord. “Well hello there everypony. Lovely evening we’re having is it not?” Discord said, with a toothy grin. Twilight eyes then blazed with a fierce flame as she ran to confront the mischievous trickster. “Discord! What did you do?” she said, in an accusatory manner. “Me? I didn’t do anything that wouldn’t have happened anyway,” he replied. “Then you admit you did something?” Pinkie pointed out. “Why would I do something this intentionally?” he asked with a feint innocence. To that the girls all narrowed their eyebrows and glared at him. “Consistency…” they all responded. “I suppose you do have a point there,” he chuckled. “I mean why else would she transform now, and then you just happen to show up here?” As they continued to go back and forth, Timberjack had made it back to her claws. After she shook off the previous blow, she turned to Flutterbat and glared at her. Taking it as a challenge, Flutterbat then flew down from her tree and landed in front of Timberjack. The two then began to pace around each other, as they waited for the other to make a move. As Flutterbat slightly hovered above the ground, Timberjack never let her leave her sight. In the blink of an eye, Timberjack lunged at Flutterbat. With the greatest ease, Flutterbat dodged her and was about to attack her from behind. As she saw her approaching her from out of her peripheral vision, Timberjack then kicked her in the face with sent her flying backward. “Girls, please stop fighting!” Twilight pleaded. The two ignored her cry and charged each other. “Discord, do something!” shouted Pinkie. “Hmm…” Discord pondered. Timberjack then leapt into the air to tackle Flutterbat. “DISCORD!” Twilight yelled. “Very well,” he sighed. With a snap of his talon, the two were teleport to opposite ends of the park. When they looked around they saw food for them (big shiny apples for Flutterbat and rotten wood with fungus for Timberjack). The two then began to eat their food in peace. “There, happy now?” he asked. “Yes, thank you Discord,” said Twilight. “Now explain yourself.” “Yeah, like why is Fluttershy now turned all Flutterbat?” inquired Pinkie. “Oh, come now. This mess is hardly my fault,” he said. “You’ll understand if we have a hard time believing that one, Discord,” Rainbow chimed in. To that, he merely rolled his eyes. “Okay, if want the truth. It’s because of you Twilight that she turned into Flutterbat.” “What? How is this my fault!” said Twilight. “It’s simple really. Remember that spell you used the first time to change her back?” he asked. “Y-Yeah?” she timidly responded. “Well, that spell didn’t completely remove all of the vampire fruit bats traits out of her body. There was still a dormant part of it that was still within her,” he explained. “What are you talking about?” asked Pinkie. “Well my dear, let answer your question with another one. Did anyone you noticed that Fluttershy has a small fang in her mouth?” They all thought for a moment and then the realization hit them like a ton of bricks. “Now you’re getting it. Fluttershy never said anything to you girls because she didn’t want you to worry. But whenever there’s a full moon that dormant side comes out. She been learning to control it, and it seems like her hard work has paid off.” “I…I never knew…” Twilight said in disbelief. “But why change now?” “It’s because she knew that Flutterbat was the only one that could take on that timberwolf- or Timberjack in this case. She made the choice.” “Wait, she what?” asked Rainbow. “When was this?” “Earlier…” Discord answered. “Earlier when? Me and Rarity were with her most of the day,” said Twilight. Pinkie then scratched her head. “I’m so confused right now.” “You’re not the only one, darling,” spoke Rarity. “Maybe you should start from the beginning, Discord…” suggested Twilight. “Very well,” groaned Discord. He then snapped his paws and made a film projector and movie screen appear. He the summoned comfortable chair and laid back in it. “Yay! Movie Time!” Pinkie cheered. She then pulled up a chair, a bucket popcorn, and a large cup of soda. They all just shook their heads and looked on at what happened earlier that day.