Outside the Everfree Forest
“Mahgot, do you think that we will run into any of the critters that Quick Fact showed us?” Apple Bloom said with wide eyes.
“I don’t know,” Margot said. She wondered why she didn’t feel any turbulence.
“We met a cocktrice once,” Scootaloo said.
“Fluttershy took care of it!” Apple Bloom said with a wave of her left forehoof.
“I hope she’s okay,” Sweetie Belle said with lowered ears.
“I think Timberwolves would be a bigger threat since they travel in packs,” Far added while looking out the window.
“Don’t worry Sweetie, we'll get Fluttershy and later on get Rarity! Oonté will help us! Margot, you’ll help us too?” Scootaloo said. Margot looked into Scootaloo’s purple eyes.
“Let’s find Fluttershy and rescue her first,” Margot replied. She hoped that would be a diplomatic response. Margot was not sure she would be around. Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed.
“Come on Scoots, maybe Margot has family and maybe she wants to go back home,” Apple Bloom said.
Scootaloo sat back and looked away from Margot. Nga'Devro turned and faced Margot.
“Nga'Devro wonders if Margot learned what she needed from the Prophetess,” Nga'Devro said while gazing at Margot.
“Yeah, she answered all of my questions,” Margot said. It wasn’t quite true. She still wanted to know why she was a pony. Then again it was better to look like a local and blend in than look like a freak and stand out. The carriage tilted forward. Margot knew that they were going to land soon. After a few moments, the carriage landed with a slight bump.
Again Margot wished she had the window seat. “What do you see Far?”
“We’ve landed outside the Everfree forest, or some place near it. There’s a path going into the forest a few steps away,” Far said then he looked at Margot.
“Well, let’s get this over with,” Skybreeze said while staring at the door.
Somepony banged on the door twice then it opened. Dusk peered in. “We be here now. Let the Squad step out first. When we be sure that things are secure, you will know.” Blunt and Quick walked through the door.
Then somepony whistled. Margot left the carriage followed by the other ponies. Outside, Margot could see it was afternoon by the sun’s angle. She hoped they could do the mission without spending the night. Yellow and pale green leaves from the trees formed a path leading deeper into the forest. Underneath the smells of the forest, there was a smell of rot. It was similar to what she’d smelled in the Shatterleg.
“Gah, smell that rot! I know that things live and die here, but this doesn’t smell natural. Right Blunt?” Somepony said behind Margot. She turned to see an unicorn mare with reddish brown mane and tail walk by. Her cutie mark was a ball of flame.
The complaining pony blinked her grey eyes. “Can’t wait to burn something to get that stink out!”
Blunt smiled. “Well Fireburst, you might get your chance. Guests, this is Fireburst.” Fireburst nodded.
“Guests? Now that sounds like we’re just tourists,” Skybreeze said with narrowed eyes.
“Yeah, well, let them have their fun,” Far said while looking around.
“Considering that we were taught tactics and fighting skills by someone who has probably forgotten more than what you know now, I think ‘guests’ is a good term,” Blunt said with narrowed eyes.
“Now before anyone gets their saddlebags in a twist, I’ll go over the engagement procedure. The Platinum Squad will engage first and you will assist as needed,“ Blunt said.
“Why do we need those fillies or that changeling anyway, Blunt?” Quick asked while looking over the group. Margot gazed at Nga'Devro. He just looked away.
“You might need a blessing from Oonté!” Apple Bloom said with narrowed eyes.
“I think we’re going to be fine without that,” Quick said.
“Everypony settle down! Save the aggression for the enemy!” Blunt said while looking at every pony to see if they would challenge her.
When nopony said anything, Blunt continued. “Marching order is Quick and I in front. Dusk and Fireburst covering the rear. Don’t dawdle, you aren’t traveling with your mommies. Everypony else in the middle. Let’s get going!”
Skybreeze whispered “delightful,” before the ponies stepped onto the path into the forest. The canopy above them had many holes that let sunshine in. Margot figured that if the trees were healthy, there would be fewer gaps and the path would be dark. Beyond the path, the forest was foreboding and filled with all sorts of furtive noises.
The ponies traveled down the path while their ears swiveled left and right. Hackles were raised as they stepped along the path. Everypony felt hidden eyes were watching them. It was a relief when they reached a sunlit clearing.
Poor Fluttershy was in a cage made of dark brown ironwood branches. Margot did not miss the sight of an upside down wooden bowl with reddish stains on it. Some of the red stuff was spilled in the cage. On Fluttershy’s right, there was a bowl with water. Fluttershy watched the approaching ponies with great interest. Several feet away was a timberwolf. It did not seem too threatening for some reason. Margot also noticed that the dark brown branches and green leaves of the creature seemed healthy.
The timberwolf walked up to Blunt. “Please don’t hurt Dimroot. I don’t want to have any of my sap on the ground please.” Dimroot towered over Blunt. He seemed at least two or three times taller.
“Please don’t hurt him,” Fluttershy said while peering through the bars of her cage.
Blunt stared at Dimroot. “Well, if he opens the cage, he won’t be hurt.”
Dimroot cringed. “By root and branch, Dimroot doesn’t know how to open the cage.”
“Can I burn him now?” Fireburst asked with a smile. A red glow covered her horn.
“NO! No burn Dimroot! Only pack killer Rotvine Crushroot knows the spell to the cage,” Dimroot said while making himself even smaller. “Rotvine Crushroot says he’s the King of the Neverfree Tangle. He killed my pack and left me alive. By branch and root, I hate him, but he’s too powerful for me. He had me watch the little yellow pony. I make sure she gets sweet water, but no food,” Dimroot said while all of his branches shook with fear.
“Please, um, please don’t hurt him,” Fluttershy said from her cage.
Blunt eyed the trembling timberwolf carefully. “So, you don’t know how to open the cage?” Dimroot nodded with a thrashing of branches. In the distance, there was a howl.
Dimroot cringed even more, now he was just a little bit taller than Blunt. “Rotvine c-c-comes! P-please let me go!” Margot felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Dusk.
“You be tryin’ to open the cage,” Dusk said and pointed to Fluttershy’s cage. Margot went to the cage. Dimroot made a choked howl and loped off into the dark forest.
“Well, it looks like I’m going to burn some things soon!” Fireburst said with a crooked grin. Blunt glared at Fireburst.
Fireburst looked back at Blunt. “What?”
Blunt looked around. “Listen up! SHC stay near me. Let’s see what this Oonté can do. Skybreeze and the changeling provide support. Quick, Fireburst and Far also provide support. Margot and Dusk, get that cage open! We’ll keep the enemy busy until Fluttershy is free, then we head to the evac site.” More howls filled the air, and they were getting closer.
Margot scanned the wood of the cage. It felt like just a dense wood, but the Gleaner magic added more strength. That meant that Margot had to concentrate and cut each bar separately. It just took a moment to conjure up a welder’s helmet.
“Don’t look at the spell or the sparks,” Margot said then she took a flame based spell and turned it into a welder’s cutting flame. Bright green sparks flew from the wooden cage bar as the spell started to burn through it. Fluttershy moved back from the flying sparks.
Five timberwolves loped into the clearing. Unlike Dimroot, these had faded light brown branches with highlights of gray on them. The leaves were yellow and orange except for the largest timberwolf. He had red leaves on his branches. Margot figured he was the leader. The poisonous green glow of their eyes showed they were Gleaner creatures.
“Rotvine Crushroot, I presume,” Blunt said while looking up at the towering timberwolf.
“Well, it’s nice when your name is known by strangers. Even if they are little ponies,” Rotvine said with a toothy grin. He took a deep sniff. “Ah, the scent of pony fear. It’s been a while since I have smelled that. Why are you here?”
“We came for Fluttershy,” Blunt said with flattened ears and narrowed eyes. Margot’s spell cut through the top of the cage’s bar, she moved the spell to the lower part.
“Fluttershy isn’t for you. She is mine! It’s been awhile since I have tasted pony heart sap. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to taste it again,” Rotvine said. Then he stretched out his neck. A dark green smoke floated out of his muzzle and headed toward Blunt. The few bits of grass near Blunt’s fore hooves curled up and blackened.
Margot wished she could help, but keeping the spell cutting the bars of Fluttershy’s cage was taking most of her concentration. Then a glowing blue shield appeared around Blunt. For a few seconds blue and dark green fought then the deadly green fog faded away. Scootaloo slumped to the ground only to be carried away by Sweetie and Apple Bloom. Fluttershy watched as they carried their friend to a spot next to the cage. Rotvine retreated.
“Light em up!” Blunt screamed. She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a black and silver warhammer. The timberwolves attacked as the second bar from the cage fell to the ground. There were just two more left.
Two pack members ran at Blunt, but a blast from Nga'Devro pushed one back while Blunt hurled her hammer at the other timberwolf. There was a loud crack and the creature fell. Pale green sap dripped from its mouth and nose as it panted on the ground. The hammer flew back into Blunt’s mouth while she dodged a swipe from a timberwolf claw. Flames covered the downed timberwolf. For a second, the timberwolves looked at their burning dead pack mate.
“So little ponies got claws?” Rotvine said. He looked at the remaining pack members. “What are you waiting for? GET THEM!” He walked over to the pile of burning branches and breathed on them. The rising flames guttered and went out. “Little red pony with a hammer, I will enjoy feeling you squirm in my claws.”
Blunt spoke around the hammer in her mouth. “Bring it! Stickdog!” The green glow of Rotvine’s eyes intensified then he leaped at Blunt. She managed to avoid his attack, but her attack missed.
The remaining timberwolves focused on attacking Fireburst. She kept casting fire spells at the timberwolves. The branches would catch fire, but the timberwolves would shake their backs like a dog would shake water off of its back and the flames would go out. Fear started to worm its way into her heart. Fireburst knew she did not have an infinite amount of power. Eventually, it would run out.
Quick wasn’t feeling any better. Her flying hoof strikes weren’t even making the enemies pause. Far’s attacks did make the timberwolves react. At least Skybreeze and Nga'Devro were causing a bit more damage. Not enough to take out any of the enemy, but they were getting hurt.
“Mahgot, you gotta cut the bars faster! They are not goin’ to last for too long!” Apple Bloom said while the third bar fell inside the cage. Sweetie started to charge up her horn, but Dusk stopped her.
“You be savin’ that for later. It will be needed then,” Dusk said while watching the fighting. Sweetie stopped concentrating. Blunt was panting while blood oozed from a gash on her flank. Rotvine was moving slower now with two smashed legs. Margot could see the broken branches and the green sap dripping to the ground. Fireburst stopped firing off blasts of flame to pick her shots. Blunt dodged an attack from Rotvine and smashed a timberwolf that was trying to bite Fireburst. The creature’s head exploded in a spray of sap and wooden fragments. Fireburst squealed as some of the caustic sap got in her eyes.
A well timed blast of magic from Skybreeze and Nga'Devro pushed back the remaining timberwolves from attacking the blinded Fireburst. Quick swooped in and carried Fireburst to the cage. Far managed to kick a timberwolf in the head, the creature retreated.
“My eyes!” Fireburst screamed. Apple Bloom’s left forehoof started to glow.
Dusk shook her head. “This be not the time, take her to the evac zone! Margot, you be cuttin that last bar now!” As if the bar heard Dusk, it fell to the ground. The cage was open. Fluttershy looked at the opening like she didn’t believe that it was real. She shook her head and tottered out of the cage. Margot was dismayed to see Fluttershy’s ribs under her fur.
While Fluttershy was getting out of her cage, Blunt faced Rotvine and the rest of the pack. Dusk looked at her. Far’s attacks pushed one timberwolf back.
“We have to help her!” Margot said while watching Blunt dodge attacks.
Dusk shook her head. “No, she knows the mission. We must get Fluttershy to the evac zone.” Margot shook her head, she was not going to leave a pony in danger. After cutting the cage’s bars, she didn’t have a lot of power left. After thinking a bit, Margot decided to try dumping some napalm based fire on the timberwolves. Unlike regular fire, this stuff was sticky and it burned hotter. While Dusk yelled at her to get to the evac zone, Margot focused on the spell and dumped it on the two remaining pack members. Far followed Blunt as she ran for the clearing’s exit.
As expected, once the timberwolves felt the burning, they shook their branches. Some of the sticky napalm flew from the burning timberwolves to land on Rotvine. Soon he and the area around the wolves was in flame. Sweetie and Apple Bloom carried Scootaloo to the evac site while Margot and Dusk followed them. Skybreeze and Nga'Devro kept embers off of Blunt as she ran for the path. They also followed her out.
Behind the fleeing ponies, the clearing turned into an inferno. The burning timberwolves could not be seen within the spreading orange flames. At the evac site, Quick dragged Fireburst into the second carriage. Apple Bloom arrived next followed by Sweetie and Margot. They used their telekinesis to carry Scootaloo who was still unconscious. Apple Bloom looked back for a quick second. She saw the rest of the group was galloping fast while the hungry flames chased them. Then Apple Bloom headed to the first carriage. The rest of the group headed to the carriages except for Blunt.
Blunt dug in her saddlebags and fired the flare spell. A green pillar of light flew up from her hoof. She looked back at the path. Flames were racing toward her. Blunt hoped the carrier pegasi would show up soon as she headed to the first carriage. Far landed with a grunt and followed Blunt into the carriage.
Again Margot did not get the window seat. Nga'Devro got it. Orange red light from the approaching flames painted the ponies orange. Then with a jolt that almost tossed the passengers to the floor the carriage took off.
Skybreeze looked at the window. “Nga'Devro what do you see?”
“Nga'Devro sees that the forest is on fire. The flames are spreading. Wait! What?” Nga'Devro said while gazing out the window.
“What?” Blunt said.
“Nga'Devro thought he saw a burning timberwolf run north, but he’s not sure,” Nga'Devro said.
Blunt grimaced. “If I see that stickdog again, I will shatter his branches for sure.”
Apple Bloom looked at Fluttershy. “Ah you alright Fluttershy?” Fluttershy’s hungry stomach answered that question with a loud growl.
“I’m fine, but I’m a bit hungry. Is there food on this carriage?” Fluttershy asked with a hopeful look on her face.
“No, the mission was seen as a local one so we didn’t load any food. I’m sorry,” Blunt said. Sweetie went through the drawers to make sure. She found a packet of soup crackers.
“Maybe these could help?” Sweetie said while levitating the crackers in front of Fluttershy.
“Um, thanks but I want something more filling,” Fluttershy said while eyeing the floating packet.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, we’ll will get you better food when we land in Lower Canterlot,” Far said.
“Lower Canterlot?” Fluttershy asked while looking around.
“There have been a lot of changes since you’ve been away,” Skybreeze said.
“Yes, I can see that a changeling is here. They attacked Canterlot. Did we lose...” Fluttershy said while looking at Nga'Devro.
“Nga'Devro was not at the attack on Canterlot. Things have changed between ponies and changelings,” Nga'Devro said with narrowed eyes.
Margot watched the exchange between Fluttershy and the other ponies. She wanted to ask some questions, but exhaustion pulled her down to sleep. As the voices faded away Margot hoped that everything would be okay.