The Cobwebs Of Ignorance

by H123G


Encounter Between a Rock and a Hard Place I

“Adventure is just bad planning.”
--Roald Amundsen

~*~*~

It had been an entire week since the incident in Canterlot. Since then things have been different in the settlements of Equestria, especially Ponyville. However, it certainly wasn’t ruining a day at Sweet Apple Acres. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, the birds were chirping, and the apples were fresh for the picking.

Out in the apple fields Big Macintosh and his sister Applejack were collecting apples for the farm. Out on the front porch Granny Smith was snoring away as she rocked back and forth in her chair. While inside the house little Apple Bloom, dressed in her Cutie Mark Crusader cape, was in the kitchen preparing for the first ever, Cutie Mark Crusader Picnic.

“Hmm, let’s see…” she said to herself. “Scootaloo likes the crust cut off her daisy sandwich.” Slowly and carefully Apple Bloom did so to said sandwich before.

After the last piece was cut, she smiled proudly at her handy work, then wrapped the sandwich up and placed it in the picnic basket next to her. “Now all that’s left is the juice boxes and that should be--”

“BOY HOWDY!”

On cue a sweating Applejack walked into the kitchen. “Boy I tell ya them apples trees get tougher and tougher every harvest! It's takin’ me two bucks just to shake ‘em,“ she announced wiping her dripping forehead with her hat.

Apple Bloom responded with a simple nod as she hopped off her stool and headed over to the fridge for the drinks. Walking over to the sink Applejack proceeded to wash the sweat and dirt off her hoofs, until she noticed the basket. “Whatcha got goin’ on here sugarcube?”

“It’s ma mimic askit!” Apple Bloom responded with a juice box in her mouth.

“Huh?”

Balancing the other two on her head she hopped back on the stool and propped the three juice boxes on the table. “Ah said its mah picnic basket. It's for me and mah friends. We’re havin’ our first ever, CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PICNIC!”

Trying to rub the sound back into her ears Applejack responded, “You don’t say…”

“Eeyup! It was Scootaloo’s idea!”

With the ringing in her ears going silent, Applejack slowly started eyeing the basket curiously. “So where y’all having this picnic?”

“Sorry sis, its top secret! Only official cutie mark members can know!” Apple Bloom started placing the juice boxes into the basket as Applejack slowly closed in wrapping her foreleg around her sister.

“Aw c’mon now. This is yer sister Applejack! You can tell me anything!”

Closing the basket up Apple Bloom gave her sisters request a ponder. “Hmm… Nnnope.”

“APPLE BLOOM!”

Sighing in frustration Apple Bloom responded in a sincere tone, “Ah’m sorry Applejack. I couldn’t tell ya even if Ah knew.”

“Ya don’t know where y’all meetin' up?”

“Naw we know where we’re meetin’. We just haven’t decided where we’re a havin’ the picnic. We haven’t exactly been seein’ each other that much.”

Five days to be exact. After the attack on Canterlot, the Crusaders along with the other six older ponies stayed in the city for about two days. Twilight and Spike went to see Celestia to try and help her assess the damage. Rarity tried to see what fashion shops were intact. Rainbow Dash tried to meet up with the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy went to see if the animals that inhabited Canterlot were unharmed. Applejack meanwhile kept trying to aid the ponies stationed with cleanup. Telling them all: “A little elbow grease is what y’all need!”

While thankful for the offer, most of the cleanup crews relied on magic to help with cleaning the mess. As for Pinkie Pie, well… she just did what she does best: Sing, dance, and have a party!

All while trying to cheer up the distraught ponies that were upset over the attack of course. As for Apple Bloom and her friends, they were forced to remain in their room. With the damage to the city and the possible threat of lingering changelings, the older ponies didn’t want them wandering around unattended. It was a rather boring and uneventful time.

Finally Applejack and the others decided to head back to Ponyville, all except for Twilight. With Shining Armor away on his honeymoon and Canterlot still in ruin, Twilight felt it was her duty to her brother and Celestia to try and help out in repairing the city. Plus she didn’t feel comfortable leaving her parents with the condition the city was in.

After a few long goodbyes the others headed back to Ponyville. Even though it was untouched from the attack Ponyville was feeling the effects of the changeling threat. Upon exiting the train station they found the Mayor was holding a town meeting. Curious to see what the fuss was about they joined in. They could already tell by the resident’s faces that they were all worried.

The Mayor decreed that by order of Princess Celestia, all residents were to report any suspicious sightings in the area, remain in doors after sundown, and above all else, she made sure to make this last one clear: Keep your distance from the Everfree Forest!

Confused by such a decree Apple Bloom had to ask Applejack about that last one. She responded that while their reasons were unknown to them, Celestia and Luna believed that the Everfree Forest was where any remaining stragglers were headed. To avoid possible confrontations it was best for their subjects to just stay away from the forest for now.

Once the rally was finished it was time for the ponies to head home to their families. The crusaders realized there was a chance they might not see one another for a while. Knowing the older ponies, they wouldn’t want them leaving their homes unattended until school started, and school wasn’t supposed to start for another six days. So the three crusaders made a pledge to one another. They pledge that on the day before school started they would meet at the clubhouse for a Cutie Mark Crusader Picnic.

Back home Apple Bloom tried to entertain herself as best she could. She read, she colored; she tried earning her APPLE JUGGLING cutie mark. That so did not end well. For most of the time Apple Bloom just wondered around the house wondering what her friends were doing. Sweetie Belle was probably back home hanging out with her parents, telling them of her time in Canterlot with Rarity. Scootaloo was probably… doing whatever it is she did at her house. Thinking about it, Apple Bloom realized she didn’t really know much about Scootaloo’s family - or where she lived for that matter - but she didn’t let the thought linger as boredom once more ensued.

Although she lived in a house with three other ponies Apple Bloom really didn’t have much company around in the day. Applejack would leave to sell apples in Ponyville, Big Mac would be outside collecting apples, and Granny Smith just slept most of the day. While once in awhile she would spin a tale about "Back in her day", but there really wasn’t much in conversation, at least until Applejack came home. Apple Bloom would ask her how her day went and most answers were the same: "Not much action." Most ponies stayed in doors except to work their jobs. Even then not many would go out unless they needed food or supplies.

As for changeling sightings there were none. Not even anything suspicious or abnormal happened in town. The only interesting thing that happened was last Friday when a pony named Colgate danced around town singing a song on the Importance of Hygiene, but nothing really out of the ordinary.

By Ponyville standards.

After five days of boredom Apple Bloom was eager to get out of the house as soon as possible, and nothing, not changeling nor her sister, was gonna stop her from seeing her friends. Grabbing the basket by the handle with her mouth Apple Bloom hopped off the stool and started heading for the door. “Phee ya!”

“NOW HOLD IT RIGHT THERE MISSY!”

Apple Bloom let out a sigh as she placed the basket on the floor; she was hoping to avoid this. “Aww, c’mon Applejack! Ah wanna see mah friends!” she pleaded.

“Ah know, Ah know,” Applejack said with a understanding tone. “But Ah’m just not sure Ah’m comfortable with y’all goin' out there by yerselves.”

“But it’s been a week! We haven’t seen hide or hair of them varmints! And you told me yerself, ain’t nothin’ strange happen in these parts since that blue pony did the dance of the toothbrush!” Apple Bloom finished doing her best Applejack impression.

“Well… she could have been a changeling in disguise… Who was STRANGELY obsessed with toothpaste…” Applejack retorted with an unconvincing grin. Apple Bloom just responded with an unamused look. Giving a sigh Applejack continued. “Look… Ah just don’t think that--”

“Please Applejack…” Apple Bloom interrupted doing the biggest, saddest pout she could muster. “Please?”

“Ah don’t--”

“Pleeeeeeaaaaaassssss…”

“It just--”

“…eeeeeeaaaaaassssss…”

“What if--?”

“…EEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSS…”

"Apple Bloom..."

"...EEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSS…!”

“OKAY!”

Apple Bloom immediately let out a gasp, as she looked right up to her sister's eyes in anticipation. “Really?”

Applejack responded with a simple nod. “Yippie!” Apple Bloom gave a leap of joy, then immediately bent down to picked up the basket and was ready to head off.

“IF, you promise me.”

Only to stop in her tracks as she turned to her older sister. “Promise me you’ll stay close to Ponyville and won’t go anywhere near the Everfree Forest. Deal?”

Giving her older sister a smile, she lifted up her hoof, spitted on it, and extended it toward her. “Deal.”

Smiling back Applejack returned the gesture and the two shook, sealing the deal. The two then embraced in a quick hug. “Alright now,” she chuckled, nuzzling her little sister’s hair. “You best be gettin’ along. Yer friends are probably waitin’ on ya!”

“Thanks Applejack!” Immediately she grabbed her basket and ran out of the house. Applejack followed after her, stopping at the porch.

“AND REMEMBER!” she called to her fading sister. “BE BACK BY SUPPER! THE WEATHER PONIES SCHEDULED A STORM TONIGHT, AND AH DON’T WANT YA COMIN’ BACK WITH A COLD NOW! YA HEAR?!”

Stopping at the fence, Apple Bloom turned back and gave her sister a quick nod as she headed out into the apple trees. Applejack just stood there, watching as her little sister disappeared from view. A part of her wanted to go after her, but she knew she had to let her go. Nopony wants to stay cooped up in house all week. She deserved to see her friends. The thought made her wonder what her own friends were up too.

THUD!

“OOF!!!”

The sound of the thud and her brother grunting broke Applejack’s train of thought. Looking over she saw her brother, neck deep in apples.

She let out an aggravated sigh as she muttered, “I’ll get the cart…”


At Sugarcube Corner Sweetie Belle was waiting impatiently in front of the counter. “Come on! How much longer is it?”

“Now, now, now, you can’t rush perfection!” Pinkie Pie replied.

Sweetie Belle responded with an agitated groan as she continued to pace back and forth, her Crusader cape fluttering as she moved. With the lingering changeling threat, not many customers were buying and staying at Sugarcube Corner. Most would just come, order, and leave. Which is why the current residents of the store were just Sweetie Belle, Pinkie Pie, and the Cake Twins who were off playing in the corner.

“Oh come on you silly filly! I know waiting's no fun! Except when you're waiting for a surprise, but it’s the kind you know is coming you just don’t what where and when the surprise is! So you start to wonder and wonder and wonder until you feel like your head is about to explode! And…“

Pinkie continued to ramble on about being ‘surprised’ and ‘excitement’ as Sweetie continued to wait impatiently. She really wanted to get going to meet up with her friends. After spending an hour explaining to her parents on the picnic she'd immediately headed to Sugarcube Corner to obtain three of Pinkie Pie’s ultra deluxe, extra delicious, super spectacular cupcakes. If there’s one thing that makes a meal complete, it's a treat from Sugarcube Corner, and nopony makes a cupcake better then Pinkie Pie.

“…not that exploding with excitement can be bad thing either but--!”

DING!

With quick reflexes Pinkie immediately took the three cupcakes out of the oven, decorated them with frosting, then tossed them in a box and wrapped said box up.

All in five seconds.

“Cupcakes are ready!” she cheered.

Sweetie Belle just stood there with her mouth hanging open for half a minute while Pinkie Pie stood there holding the box with a her usual happy grin.

Snapping out her daze Sweetie Belle quickly took the bits she brought with her and tossed them onto the counter as she grabbed the box and headed out the door. “Bye Pinkie, thanks!”

“Anytime!”


“Let’s see rope? Check! Harness? Check! Helmets? Check! Looks like that’s it.” Tossing her saddlebag on, and adjusting her Cutie Mark Crusader cape, Scootaloo was ready to go. Slowly she made her way downstairs. If she was stealthy enough she could make her way out without anypony noticing. Carefully she tiphoofed down stairs, trying to not make a single sound. Slowly she approached the knob. She did it! She was home free!

“Scootaloo.”

Releasing her grip on the knob Scootaloo gave a soft groan as she turned to the source of the voice. Sitting at the table a lone shadowy figure in the shape of an earth pony sat comfortable with a teacup in front of her. “So, where are you off to my dear?” she spoke in a soft fragile tone.

“You know where…” Scootaloo responded with a slight hint of annoyance.

“Yes I do, the picnic. But I’ve never been to a picnic that needed ROPES and HELMETS before.”

How does she do that?

“Scootaloo I know you’ve been bored around here, but is it really necessary to start jumping back into ‘crusading’ so soon?”

“You can’t stop me from trying to find who I am!” Scootaloo snapped back. The figure placed the tea on the table as she let out a soft sigh.

“Scootaloo…”

Realizing her rude outburst she lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry, I-I didn’t--”

The figure raised her hoof gesturing her to be quiet. “Scootaloo come here.” Doing as instructed she slowly walked over and took a seat in front of the earth pony, still averting eye contact. Slowly looking up Scootaloo could make out a small smile on the pony’s wrinkled face.

“You’ve always been the adventurous type my dear. But just promise me dearie, promise me you’ll be careful.”

Scootaloo responded with a sigh. “But Mother--”

“I know you don’t like me mothering you,” the earth pony interrupted. “But I’m just looking out for you, okay? Now promise me.” After a short pause Scootaloo slowly nodded. “Good,” the earth pony answered with a smile. “Now get going.”

Smiling Scootaloo hopped off her seat and trotted to the door, but then immediately stopped when she realized what she was forgetting.

“You’ll find your scooter outside, to the left by the bushes.”

Opening the door Scootaloo stopped dead in her tracks. There was her scooter, right where she said it be.

Seriously, how does she do that?!

Letting the thought go with a shrug she hopped on her scooter, propped on her helmet, started up her wings and took off.


Deep in the Everfree Forest, a cocoon containing a healing changeling hung from a tree. After the scuffle with the green reptile, Dead Ringer decided he was in no condition to travel until his wounds were healed. Thankfully changelings were gifted with the ability create cocoons. While they were used to store prey for... feeding purposes, the cocoon’s shared a second purpose. Changelings could store themselves in their own chrysalis for healing. While in them, the changeling inside would go into a self-sustaining coma while the cocoon healed its wounds.

There were two downsides to this tactic however. The time it took to heal, depending on the severity of the damage, could last for days. The other was the one stored inside was vulnerable to creatures and other hostile threats. While back home changelings in cocooned stasis were kept safe by their own people, out here the cocoon was vulnerable. However Dead Ringer was willing to take that risk.

Slowly the changeling started to stir as he opened his eyes. With a swift slash of his horn the cocoon opened as he slowly floated to the ground. Giving his body a quick examination he was met with satisfying results. The cuts were healed, his bruises were gone, and the discomforting pain along with it. Dead Ringer gave himself a confident smile, proud that his survival tactics had work, proving his superiority to adapt and survive.

“BHLEAH!!!”

Sadly the week in the cocoon had done nothing to get rid of the foul frog taste that still contaminated his mouth.


The tree house, or as the crusaders referred to it: Cutie Mark HQ. Here is where they’d meet and plan their next big crusade for their cutie marks. Here is where their great tales of adventure start. Here is where excitement and wonder come alive!

“Gosh Ah’m bored...”

A bored Apple Bloom sat at the center of the clubhouse with the basket seated next to her. She’d been waiting there for over half an hour, hoping for her friends to show up.

Maybe they ain’t comin'… Apple Bloom thought with a frown. Maybe they--

“APPLE BLOOM!!!”

Almost instantly Apple Bloom found herself tackled to the ground with two forelegs wrapped tight around her. The tackler was none other then her loveable friend Sweetie Belle!

Apple Bloom happily returning the embrace. “Ah missed ya!”

“I missed you too!” Sweetie Belle replied with joy.

“Huh. Well what’s this, a tea party?" another familiar voice asked.

Releasing each other they turned their attention to the entrance. There stood an orange pegasus named: “SCOOTALOO!” both ponies shouted as they embraced their friend in a tight group hug. “WE MISSED YOU!!!”

“Uh… yeah, I missed you guys too,” Scootaloo replied, awkwardly returning the hug. She didn’t mind being hugged; she just really wasn’t into that whole namby, pamby, stuff.

“Alright, enough namby pamby stuff.” Scootaloo squeezed out of the hug and started walking to the center of the clubhouse with a face full of anticipation. “Time to get down to business.”

“Business…?” both ponies asked looking at one another.

“But what about the picnic?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“What, you mean the cover-up?” Scootaloo responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world as she dropped her bag.

Both ponies looked at their friend like she grew a second head. “Scootaloo," Apple Bloom began. "What are you--?”

“ATTENTION!”

On cue both ponies stood at attention as Scootaloo walked back and forth in front of them like a drill sergeant. “Crusaders! As you are aware, our time away for the royal wedding took us away from our much-needed crusading time. We knew this risk when we took the job as designated ‘Flower Girls’. But what we did not anticipate was the unforeseen attack by the changeings, changegings, change… Uh…”

“Changelings…?” Apple Bloom answered.

“Yeah! The attack by the changelings was not something we anticipated. Because of this, after the attack we were forced into captivity. Forced to fend for ourselves! Forced to endure cruel punishment! Forced to--!"

“We were forced by our sisters to stay in our hotel room, with free room service might I add. And I don’t think playing ‘Go Fish’ counts as cruel punishment,” Sweetie Belle interrupted with a deadpan expression.

“… As I was SAYING,” Scootaloo eyed Sweetie Belle for a second before continuing. “Our detainment in Canterlot was unforeseen, as was our house arrest.”

Detainment? House arrest? Where’d you learn all these words Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked, completely baffled by her friend's vocabulary.

“Oh, I read the dictionary.”

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle’s jaws fell to the floor.

“Well its not like I had anything better to do! Which brings me to my point. We’ve lost too much time we could have used to earn our cutie marks! That is why we are here, to plan our future crusades!”

“Ah thought we were gonna have a picnic, and ya know, catch up? Wasn’t that the original plan?” Apple Bloom asked.

“No! That was just a cover-up to tell the older ponies so they’d let us out!” Scootaloo answered, loudly. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just tilted their heads in confusion as they stared at the vague pegasus. “Didn’t you see me ‘wink’ when I brought up the idea?”

The two just continued to stare in silence.

“Remember? ‘I know girls, lets meet at the clubhouse for a picnic.’ WINK! WINK!’” Scootaloo gave two winks as she retold the event.

Slowly the gears in the two ponies head pieced together the puzzle. “Oh…”

“So wait a minute, if we aren't havin’ a picnic, what are we here for?" Apple Bloom asked.

Scootaloo face hoofed as she let out an aggravated groan. “Have you not been listening to anything I’ve said?!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both took a step back as Scootaloo closed in. “We could have been out crusading while instead we lounged around! We have to make up for lost time! So from here on out if we’re not eating, sleeping, or at school, we’re crusading! Got it?!”

Both ponies answered with a nod. “Good!” Scootaloo said as she turned back to her saddlebag. She started unzipping it as she spoke. “Now we don’t have much before the day’s over, so we’ll try one crusade then meet back here to--”

She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the sad looks on her friend’s faces. “What is it?”

“It's just,” Apple Bloom began in sad tone. “Ah was really lookin’ forward to seein’ y’all. And Ah really worked hard on our meal”

“Me too,” Sweetie Belle joined in. “I even bought cupcakes for each of us.” She pointed to the string tied box that sat next to the picnic basket.

Scootaloo eyes moved back and forth between each of her friends. Both just wanted one simple thing, to spend a relaxing time with one another. That’s all.

Then the thought dawned on her. This was the first time they were ever forcibly kept apart. Since forming the Cutie Mark Crusaders they’ve been together through thick and thin. They did everything together, shared everything together.

…Well, almost everything, Scootaloo thought, her gaze falling to the floor.

Looking back up to her friends, she saw them both still looking at the floor with sad expressions on their faces. Wow… They really missed each other. Scootaloo was so distracted during the week focusing on their next crusade; she never took into account how much she missed her friends as well.

But then again, I’m used to distracting myself from the sad truth…

She easily pushed those thoughts away. She knew she wasn’t supposed to think like that. Besides, there were more pressing issues to deal with. So operation: Cheer Up Friends, was a go!

Nothing came to mind.

Come on think, THINK! She pounded her head. What would Rainbow Dash or the others do?

“…!” A smile forming, Scootaloo trotted to her friends. “Come guys cheer up! There’s no reason we can’t have the picnic while on the crusade!”

Both ponies’ faces instantly lit up. “REALLY?!”

Scootaloo nodded.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PICNIC IS A GO!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle cheered high hoofing. Scootaloo breathed a sigh of relief. It was nice to see her friends starting to smile again.

“URG!”

Scootaloo let out a grunt as she found herself in another group hug, only tighter. “Thanks Scootaloo…” both her friends said tenderly.

“Too… tight…” Scootaloo strained feeling the color fade from her face. Seeing this her friends let her go. Scootaloo let out gasp for air, trying to catch her breath. Despite almost choking, she gave a small smile, happy nonetheless to see her friends acting like their old selves again. “So… ready to get to work?”

Both ponies nodded. “Alright then, here’s the plan! And trust me, I’ve got a good feeling about this!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle leaned in with anticipation. “Today, we’re gonna earn our cutie marks in…”

Scootaloo paused for dramatic effect.

“MOUNTAIN CLIMBING!”

A long silence fell on the room.

“…That’s it?" Sweetie Belle asked, her anger slowly rising. "You spent this entire time planning our next crusade? And all you could come with, was something we’ve ALREADY tried?”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Scootaloo replied earning another confused look from her friends. “I’ve spent all week at home crunching the numbers, and running calculations. And I’ve come to the conclusion… That there is a difference between climbing a mountain, and climbing a stubby ten foot tall rock!” Scootaloo proclaimed proudly.

Hoof immediately met face as both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle responded with an annoyed groan.

“I’m serious you guys, “ the pegasus continued. “I really think this will work. I’ve even picked out a mountain to climb!”

“Scootaloo we climbed that STUBBY rock because it was the only one we were ALLOWED to climb!” Sweetie Belle explained.

“I beg to differ,” the filly spoke proudly while pulling out a map.

“Huh?” both ponies asked.

Scootaloo placed the map on the ground as her friends gathered around it. “This is a map of Ponyville I made. These areas around here are mountains,” she directed her hoof to the crudely drawn areas that represented mountains. “I’ve done my research and believe I’ve found the shortest, safest mountain for us to climb.”

“Where?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Right here,” she pointed to the mountain that was circled with red crayon. This caused the two fillies to gasp.

“Scoot--! Scootaloo! Do you know where that’s located?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. Scootaloo simply nodded. The location Apple Bloom was referring to was the area she, and all ponies in Equestria were forbidden from going.

The Everfree Forest.

“Seriously? Out of all the mountains in Ponyville, you choose the one that’s located where the changelings live?!” Sweetie Belle asked in a loud tone.

“Would you have preferred I choose the one named, Mount Kiliponyjaro? A mountain that’s at least twenty thousand feet high?" Scootaloo responded with a deadpan expression. Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes in response.

“Besides that, Ah don promised mah sister Ah wouldn’t go anywhere near that place!” Apple Bloom added.

“Oh come on! Its not like we’re going IN the forest! We’re just gonna be climbing a small steep mountain without any adult supervision!” Scootaloo reassured.

Both ponies just stared at the pegasus with unamused faces. “Come on girls! I brought the rope, and gear, and everything," Scootaloo pleaded, showing a rope and helmet with a pout.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle started whispering to one another, giving Scoot’s idea a ponder. Scootaloo leaned in with anticipation. Hoping to hear them say:

“Okay,” both said in unison.

“Really?” Scootaloo asked, her wings buzzing with excitement. The two just nodded as a response. Immediately the two were pulled into a tight hug from the over joyous pegasus. “Thanks girls! And don’t worry,” Scootaloo let go and started packing up her gear. “Once we reach the top, we’ll have that picnic!” Sweetie Belle let out a cheer as she and Apple Bloom picked up their stuff.

“Ready?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ready!”

“Ready!”

“Alright then, CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, MOVE OUT!”