//------------------------------// // On The Hunt // Story: Butterflies And Strings // by ForgottenDreams //------------------------------// When Fluttershy awoke the next morning she was confused the burning sensation that fueled her was gone all that was left was the loneliness and timidity that she knew all too well. It left her wanting more. "I've got to hear the song once more." Rarity ,Fluttershy, and Sweetiebelle enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast after which Sweetiebelle rushes off to school while the two mares go to Twilight's to meet up with the others. Many ponies were just starting their normal routines as the mares pass them by on their way to the crystal tree castle. There waiting for them to arrive were the rest of their friends eager to get the goods out of Fluttershy about the mysterious pony. Rarity had sent word ahead so they could hurry up and get started. "So Fluttershy spill it. What can you tell us about this so called pony? Rarity didn't tell us much in her letter." demanded Rainbow Dash " Well um... I don't know much just that their music is so beautiful that it makes any who listen to it dance or at least that is what Zecora says. I think they were playing a stringed instrument I don't know for sure it was hard to tell through the mist. I was wondering if they were using magic to amplify the strength of their music. What do you think Twilight could it be magic? " " I don't know; magic like that is very powerful only master class unicorns can do something like that. Even though I am an alicorn now I can only make music with wind reeds I can't enchant it at the same time it takes too much concentration. Fluttershy do you remember if you were dancing when you heard it?" " I don't think so? I can't say for certain I was too busy watching the insects dance to remember if I was as well." "Well at least we've got something to go on sugarcube. I doubt too many folks around here play stringed instruments to the extent you've given us. We'll have this wrapped up by the end of the day just you wait." replied Applejack with her confident smile she wears so well. "Well um...ok if you think so Applejack." The six mares break off into twos and went out to start their quest for the mysterious musician. One by one the girls crossed off the musicians off of their list until there was just one house left sitting on top of a hill next to the park. Fluttershy and Rarity approach the house trepidation in Fluttershy's legs. Rarity knocks on the door. A pause then a white mare with an electric blue mane answers the door. "Yo! What's up?" "Oh good evening miss Scratch do you think you can spare a moment of your time to can answer a few questions for us." Answered Rarity. "Sure. I don't have a gig tonight so I have time to kill. How can I help you two?" "Oh well you see we were wondering if you know anything about a musician in Everfree forest? We've been asking around town but it seems no pony knows anything about them." "Sorry I don't know much about a musician living in the Everfree forest. Only that their skill is supposedly legendary Tavi told me that the musician's ability to portray their emotions into music is unmatched even by unicorn musicians like myself who use magic to create their magic." " Excuse me. You mean miss Octavia knows about the musician? Can we talk to her?" "She's not in she left early this morning and hasn't come back yet. She's probably out finding inspiration for her next masterpiece since she took her cello with her. She usually does this thing in the spring where she disappears and doesn't come back until nightfall. Come back tomorrow maybe you can catch her." "Ok thank you for your help Vinyl. You've been an enormous help." "No prob come talk to me anytime I'm always willing to talk music." Vinyl gives Rarity and Fluttershy a hoof bump and closes the door. "Well isn't that interesting. Wouldn't you say Fluttershy?" "Um I guess I mean if you think it is then." The two mares go and meet up with the others to tell them what they found. " That is interesting Rarity most of the other musicians confirm what Vinyl said. That during the spring time Octavia disappears with her cello and doesn't return until after dark. However I've seen the way she cherishes that cello of her's I highly doubt that she would take it into the Everfree Forest just to compose a new song. She would never take it with her where it could be damaged." commented Twilight. "She's also not good enough to be the mysterious pony that we are looking for I mean she's good but not to the degree in which we've heard." Said Dash. " Only one way to find out if its true or not. Lets go into the forest it is almost sunset if we hurry we can catch them." Applejack. "Right then lets hurry up then slow pokes." Said Pinkie Pie already bouncing towards the forest. The others nod to each other and give pursuit.