After being bitten by a cursed timerwolf, Applejack finds herself transforming in the Lumberjack. And the only way to stop her is to enlist the help of a friend of the night...Flutterbat!
On her way back from one of Pinkie Pie's parties, Applejack was bitten by a strange timberwolf. After that night, the others noticed that Applejack has been acting a little strange. And after pony couple were attacked by a strange pony-like timberwolf, other decide to investigate. It's soon discovered that Applejack has been changed to Timberjack. And the only way to stop her is to enlist the help of a friend of the night...Flutterbat!
It was a normal night in Ponyville. The full moon shined brightly as a cool wind blew throughout the town. We find our favorite southern belle mare Applejack was on her way home. She had just come back from one of Pinkie Pie’s infamous parties. Her orange coat and blonde mane seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. As she approached the fence of the south field of her family’s orchard, she let out a sigh.
“Woowee, that party took more outta me than Ah thought,” laughed Applejack.
As she continued to walk in the moonlight, she noticed the distance to the ranch’s main gate. Not wanting to walk that far, she decided to take a shortcut through the south field. With a quick hop over the fence, she trotted through her orchard. While she was walking across the fields, she couldn’t help but notice the apples shined in the moonlight.
“Those apples sure do look lovely tonight,” she sighed.
Continuing her trek, she then heard some low growling coming from up ahead.
‘What in Equestria was that?’ she thought.
She then quietly made her way toward the sound. As Applejack peaked from behind a nearby tree, she saw that it was a wild timberwolf. It seemed to be eating a piece of rotting wood that fell from the tree.
‘What the hay is a timberwolf doing here?!’
While she observed the beast, she noticed it didn’t look like a normal timberwolf. It was somewhat larger than the average timberwolf. Its wooden hide was slightly blackened and the vines were light green in color. It then lifted is head to look around, to which Applejack hide behind the tree. Once it was certain that it wouldn’t be disturbed, it went back to eating the rotting wood.
“Ah better go get Big Mac ta help me handle this big guy…” she whispered.
When she took a step to leave, she stepped on a stray twig. The sound caused the timberwolf’s head to shoot up and turned to look at her.
‘Oh pony feathers!’ she cursed.
She then saw the behemoth run toward her, to which she fled down the trail. As she was running, she looked back to see the timberwolf was gaining on her. With a quick fake out, she was able to shake him off temporarily. She then caught her breath as she rested under a tree.
“Shoot…that thing’s a lot faster than Ah expected,” she panted.
She then heard a loud howl coming from above her. She then looked up to see the timberwolf was in the tree ready to pounce.
“Ya gotta be kidding me?!” she groaned.
As the timberwolf lunged at her, she narrowly escaped his claws. She then saw a clear path and made a break for it. As she was running, Applejack could see her house was just up ahead.
“Ah’m almost there!”
Just as she was about to reach the edge of orchard, the timberwolf leapt over her and blocked her path. Each time she tried to find a way around it, the timberwolf would block her.
‘Come girl, there’s gotta be a way outta this?’
As she surveyed the orchard, she then noticed a neighboring with and abundance of apples. That’s when she came up with an idea.
‘That’ll work’
She ran and stood under the tree, much to the timberwolf’s confusion. She then started to taunt the wooden beast.
“Hey there ya tree-sucking son of salamander, come and get me,” she mocks.
After a loud howl, the beast charged Applejack. Applejack stood her ground as she waited for it to get closer.
‘Come on…Come on…’
As it was a few feet away from her, it leapt into the air to pounce on her. While in midair, Applejack then gave the tree a powerful kick. Just then, a barrage of fresh apples pelted the beast and sent it crashing to the ground. Within seconds, the beast was buried under a pile of apples.
“Ha! That’ll show ya! Never mess with an Apple on their own turf, pardner,” Applejack boasted, with a tip of her Stetson.
She then trotted pass the pile and continued home.
‘Whew, wait’ll Ah tell the others about this. They won’t believe it,’ she chuckled.
Just as she was about to leave the orchard, she felt something chomp on her left hindleg. With a pained scream, she looked to see the same timberwolf was freed and now biting her. Purely on reflex, Applejack swung her forehoof and smashed its snout. The impact caused it to release her leg as it let out a painful howl. With her leg free, Applejack limped out of the orchard and calls for her brother.
“Big Mac! Big Mac!” she screamed.
Within seconds, the stoic red stallion burst through the front door. When he saw that his little sister limping he quickly ran to her. When he arrived he saw that her left leg is bleeding.
“AJ, what happened to you?!” he asked.
“Timberwolf…attacked me…” she winced, as she pointed toward the orchard.
Big Mac then turned to see the behemoth at the edge of the orchard. Before he could get close, the timberwolf ran away. He then helped his sister into the house to tend to her wound.
“Apple Bloom, bring me the First Aid Kit. And hurry, Applejack’s hurt!” ordered Big Mac.
He then heard the rapid hoofbeats upstairs, then they quickly running down the stairs to the family room. They saw the panicked yellow filly run in with the first aid kit on her back.
“What happen’ is she alright?” asked the worried filly.
“Ah’m fine, Apple Bloom. Just had a run-in with a timberwolf,” Applejack explained.
“You did?!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.
“We’ll discuss that later. Right now we need to treat this wound,” Big Mac said
“Right!” Apple Bloom replied.
The two then sterilized the wound to prevent infection and then wrapped her leg. After they were done, they escorted Applejack to bed to rest.
“Y’all take it easy and we’ll see ya in the mornin’,” instructed Big Mac.
“Okay…okay…you don’t have ta treat me like a baby y’know,” Applejack pouted.
“Not fun, is it Applejack?” Apple Bloom teased.
“That’ll be enough from you, Apple Bloom,” Big Mac said.
“It’s okay Big Mac. Ah know she’s just foolin’,” said Applejack.
“Even still, now is not the time to be jokin’. Now get some rest and we’ll see ya in the mornin’,” Big Mac replied.
With a huff, Applejack concedes and laid on the bed.
“Alright then, Ah’ll see y’all in the mornin’.”
“‘Night, sis,” they say, as both left the room.
“‘Night, y’all.”
Once they had left, Applejack tried to get some sleep. As she was trying to drift off to sleep, she felt something strange happening to her body. She couldn’t quite describe it but it felt as if her very DNA was being transformed. After a few minutes, the sensation dissipated and she was finally able to get to sleep.
--------------------------------
Early the next morning, Applejack is greeted by the rays of the morning sun.
“Ugh, it’s mornin’ already?” Applejack groaned.
When she hopped out of bed, much to her surprise her leg didn’t hurt as much as it did last night.
‘Huh, Ah thought fer sure Ah wouldn’t be able to buck apples today. But if Ah take it slow, Ah should be alright,’ she thought.
She then looked out the window at the morning sky.
‘Pinkie and Rainbow should be here soon. Ah better start getting ready.’
At that moment, the playful pink party pony Pinkie Pie and super speedster prismatic maned mare Rainbow Dash were heading to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack had asked at the party if they’d be willing to help with her apple bucking, and the two mares were more than willing to help.
“So how much work do you think we'll get done today, Dashie?” Pinkie Pie asked, as she hopped down the road.
“I’d say that we’ll be in a snap. And then we’ll be relaxing while gulping down some nice, cooling, delicious apple cider,” Rainbow Dash said, while she imagined drinking the sweet cider. “I can already taste it now.”
“Well the faster we get there, the sooner we can get some cider,” Pinkie grinned. “Race ya!”
Pinkie then started running to Sweet Apple Acres main gate.
“Hey! Oh no you don't, Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow Dash said, as she chased after her.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was ready to start the day. Much to the dismay of Big Mac, Applejack was still going to do her daily chores. As she walked outside, Applejack saw Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were racing each other. Within seconds, they were at the gates. Pinkie then let out a triumphant laugh.
“I win! I win!” she said, as hopped around.
Rainbow looked at her in shock and disbelief.
“What?! No way! I want a rematch!”
Pinkie then gave her a smug grin.
“Anytime you want, Rainbow.”
They then heard the chuckle from the southern belle.
“Well ain't y’all energetic today?” she noted.
When they turned to greet Applejack, they saw the bandage on her leg. They also saw that she was walking with a slight limp.
“AJ what happened?! How come your leg is all bandaged up?” asked a worried Pinkie.
“Oh that. Ah ran into a weird timberwolf last night. He bite me but I sent him packing,” she explained.
“You look pretty hurt, AJ. Come on, me and Pinkie will take you to Ponyville Hospital to get it looked at.”
Rainbow then walked over and was about to put her hoof around her until Applejack smacked it away.
“Ah’m fine, Rainbow Dash!” she said, with a huff. “Now come on, we got apples to buck.”
She then gingerly trotted off to the south field. Pinkie and Rainbow looked at each and sighed.
“Why is she always so stubborn?” Pinkie pouted.
“Who knows? Come on, Pinkie let’s go help her out,” Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes.
The two then followed after her to the south field.
--------------------------------
Around midday, the three mares were hard at work bucking apple. As they gathered the apples, Applejack noticed that her bucking was stronger than normal. Due the here newly found strength, she was bucking apples at twice her normal pace.
‘Ah can't believe how easy buck is today. Ah thought Ah'd slower what with my limp, but this is a breeze! she thought.
As she was bucking, Rainbow and Pinkie looked on with both confusion and shock.
“Wow wee, AJ is like an apple bucking machine,” gasped Pinkie.
“I never seen her buck apples this fast before,” Rainbow said in awe.
They then noticed her pace wasn’t slowing down at all.
“Hey AJ slow down. The apples aren’t going anywhere,” Pinkie joked.
Applejack didn’t respond, but just kept apple bucking.
“Hey Applejack!” shouted Rainbow Dash.
Applejack didn’t acknowledge them, as she continued to buck apples at a fever pace. It was then Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash noticed her eyes. They almost looked like they had a strange glow.
“Umm, I don’t think she can hear us,” stated Pinkie Pie. “Hey, Applejack?
Applejack is still not responsive.
“Applejack!” Pinkie shouted.
Applejack remained in her work like trance.
“She still doesn’t here us,” Rainbow mentioned. “Hmm, I have an idea. Be back in a flash.”
Rainbow Dash takes off in a flash. Within a few seconds, she came back with dark cloud.
“This will get her attention,” Rainbow said with a mischievous grin.
She then flew over to Applejack and set the cloud above her. Then, with a swift kick, she caused the cloud douse Applejack with heavy shower. This snapped Applejack out of her trance.
“GAH!” yelped Applejack.
She looked around to see who soaked here. She then saw Rainbow Dash above her laughing hysterically.
“What the hay, Rainbow Dash?! Why’d you do that?!” Applejack yelled with annoyance.
“You didn’t hear us when we were calling you. So, I thought this would do the trick,” Rainbow explained.
“Really? Oh gosh, Ah’m sorry girls. Ah guess that Ah was so focused on apple bucking Ah didn’t hear ya.”
“You sure you’re feeling alright, AJ?” asked a worried Rainbow. “I think you need some rest. Me and Pinkie can-”
“Ah told you already Ah’m fine!” Applejack said with a huff. “Now come on we gotta a lot of apples to buck.”
“Umm, AJ.”
Pinkie Pie pointed to show that she had cleared that the whole southern field was cleared.
“Wait, did Ah do that?” Applejack said in amazement.
“Yeah, you were like a mare possessed,” spoke Rainbow.
“Ah don’t even remember doing it.”
“Yeah you were going super-duper fast. Even faster than Dashie,”
“Hey…”
“Well Ah guess that’s it for the day. Ah guess y’all can head home if ya want,” Applejack said.
Just as she was about to respond, Pinkie noticed her eye, which were normally emerald, were had a lime green glow to them.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Pinkie.
“For the hundredth time Ah’m fine!” Applejack barked.
“Geez, take it easy Applejack,” said Rainbow Dash.
Applejack then turned away from them in a huff. She then let out a sigh.
“Sorry, Ah know y’all are just concerned about me. But Ah’m fine. Ah’m going ta take a quick nap. Y’all are welcome to stay if ta want. Big Mac should be here soon with some cider.”
Just the mention of cider caused Rainbow’s eyes to glimmer with excitement.
“Aw yeah! Apple cider here I come,” she said, as she flew up into the air.
Pinkie merely shook her head.
“Dashie sure does love her cider,” Pinkie chuckled.
“That she does,” Applejack grinned. “Well, Ah’ll be hittin’ the hay. Wake me up when Big Mac comes by, okay.”
“Sure thing, AJ,” Pinkie saluted.
With that, Applejack sat under a nearby tree, tipped her hat over her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
--------------------------------
In her dream, she was walking through the Everfree Forest alone.
“What the hay? How’d Ah get here?” questioned Applejack.
As she was walked through the eerie forest, she could sense something was watching her.
“W-Who there?!” she said, as she looked around.
The forest then fell dead silent. Applejack kept her guard up, as she surveyed the area.
“Ah know you’re out there! Come on out and show yerself.”
At that moment, a large figure leapt out from the shadows and landed in front of her. When she looked at the beast, she recognized it as the same timberwolf that attacked her last night.
“You! Back for another round are ya!” Applejack mocked.
The beast then let out a loud roar that shook the whole area. She then saw the beast grow three times is size. As it towered over her, she saw it lick its muzzle.
“Uh-oh…”Applejack gulped.
As it swung its claw to hit Applejack, she moved away at the last moment. She then rolled under the beast and made a break for it. While she was running, she heard the thunderous steps of the timberwolf gaining on her. With all her might, she ran through the forest with a quickened pace. With her new burst of speed, she was able to create some distance between them. This however proved to be futile, as she found herself at a dead end.
‘Horse apples!’
When she turned face see the behemoth was fastly approaching.
“No…stay back…”
It ignored her plea, and continued to charge her.
“NO! Stay away!” she screamed.
She then heard a faint voice.
“...jack...Applejack...” it spoke.
“Who is that?”
The beast they leapt into the air and was about to pounce on her. Before it did, she heard another voice.
“AJ... Hey AJ.... Wake up!” it called.
‘Why am Ah hearin’ voices?’
She soon felt the crushing paw of the timberwolf pin her to the ground. She looked in horror as the beast mouth began to open.
“Get away! GET AWAY!”
Applejack then began to thrash about to try and free herself.
“Lemme go! Lemme go!” she screamed.
She then heard the voice again.
“Whoa...I think she’s having a nightmare?”
As she saw the drooling behemoth ready to eat its prey, Applejack felt her body being shook by some strange force.
“AJ! AJ! Wake up!” Pinkie shouted.
Applejack’s eyes then shot open as she woke up.
“GAH!” she yelled.
As she caught her breath, Applejack looked to see everypony was looking at her with worried looks.
“What’re y’all staring at me for?” she asked.
“You were having a nightmare,” answered Rainbow. “You were thrashing around. You almost hit Pinkie.”
“Ah did?”
“Yeah, lucky I was able to dodge your flailing hooves,” Pinkie stated. “Just what in Equestria were you dreaming about?”
“Well, there was that weird timberwolf from last night in it. That varmit grew to the size of the house and started chasing me through the forest. Ah was running it managed to pin me to the ground. Just as it was about ta eat me Ah woke up.”
“That was one weird dream. I wonder what it means?” question Rainbow Dash.
“Ah dunno,” Applejack sighed.
Seeing her friend was a little rattled by her dream, Pinkie came up with an idea. She then whispered something to Rainbow to which she nodded in agreement.
“Well...how about we do something to take your mind off things,” Rainbow suggested.
Applejack then looked at them with an arched eyebrow.
“Whatcha have in mind?” she inquired.
Pinkie and Rainbow then gave her cheesy grins.
“Why don’t we head down to the lake and have a relaxing swim. Y’know, have some fun,” Rainbow offered.
“Um, sure Ah guess.”
Pinkie then beamed with joy.
“Yeah a little relaxin’ swim is just whatcha need to turn your frownzy upside downzy.”
“Yeah, but what about-” Applejack said, before she felt her brother hoof on her shoulder.
“You can take the resta the day off sis. You’ve earned it,” Big Mac said with his trademarked stoic gaze.
“Ya sure?” Applejack asked.
“Ah’m sure sis.”
“And you got everything else here Big Mac?”
Big Mac nodded in response.
“Eeyup…”
“If you sur- WHOA!”
Applejack then found herself being drug away by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.
“Whee! Let's go!” Pinkie giggled.
“Yeah, what’s the worst thing that can happen?”
--------------------------------
Later at the lake, the three mares were enjoying a swim. Pinkie got in the tire swing and flew into the water with a fairly decent splash. She then reemerged from the water.
“This is funerific!” she happily shouted.
“Not bad, Pinkie. But I bet I can beat that,” Rainbow spoke, with her usual confidence.
“Prove it,” Pinkie jeered.
Rainbow then took to the skies. Once she was about 50 feet in the air, she made a beeline for the lake. As she splashed into the lake, it causes a slightly larger wave than Pinkie’s. Rainbow then looked to Applejack.
“Well, AJ. Let’s see ya beat that,” she said with a cocky grin.
“Oh yeah? Fine, Ah guess Ah can show ya how it’s done,” Applejack chuckled.
Applejack then trotted off into the distance. Once she was a good distance away, she started to run for the lake. As she got closer her hooves dug deeper into the ground and she started to pick up speed. As she was getting closer, Pinkie and Rainbow once again saw her eyes shine with a lime green glow.
“Hey, Dashie. You’re seeing this too, right” asked Pinkie.
“Yeah. What the hay is with her eyes,” Rainbow responded.
Applejack then leapt high into the air. While in midair she performed spinning cannonball. As she landed in water, she made a huge wave that completely soaked Pinkie and Dash. When she made her way back to the shore, she gave them both a smug grin.
“How was that?” Applejack asked.
She then saw that they both were looking at her with their mouths agaped. This got a chuckle from the southern belle.
“Left y’all speechless, huh?”
“That...was…AWESOMETASTIC!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“How is...that even possible?” Rainbow asked dumbfounded.
“Ah don’t rightly know. Ah just felt a newfound burst of energy and just dove in,” Applejack stated.
“Yeah, but what was going on with your eyes?” inquired Pinkie.
Applejack then raised her eyebrow.
“What do ya mean?” questioned Applejack.
“When you were running they started to glow,” said Rainbow.
“They did?”
“Yeah, it was kinda weird,” stated Pinkie.
“Well, Ah did feel a sorta weird when Ah was running,” explained Applejack.
“Really? Hmm…” said Rainbow.
“But it’s nothing to worry about,” Applejack spoke, as she merely waved it off.
“But your eyes don’t normally do that,” Rainbow pointed out.
“Yeah Ah know but-”
“Maybe we take you to have somepony check out if things are okay,” recommended Pinkie.
Applejack felt her patience was starting to fade.
“Girls, Ah know you mean well, but Ah’m fine really-”
“I dunno, AJ. Maybe we should take you to see Twil-” Pinkie was about to suggest.
She was cutoff, as she heard Applejack hoof angrily stomp the ground hard which caused the two mares to look at her. She then looked at them with a venomous glare.
“FER THE LAST TIME, AH SAID AH’M FINE!” Applejack shouted.
When Applejack came to herself, she saw that Rainbow and Pinkie had recoiled back in fear. Applejack then looked at a nearby puddle to see her contorted glare and her glowing lime green eyes.
‘What’s happening to me?’ she thought.
Rainbow then got up and frowned at Applejack.
“You know what, I think we should go,” huffed Rainbow.
“Yeah...I think you’re right,” replied Pinkie.
“Wait… girls Ah’m sorry…Ah-”
They both then rose to their hooves and turned to leave.
“Come on, Pinkie. Let’s go…” said Rainbow.
“Okay, see ya around AJ,” spoke Pinkie.
Before they could leave, Applejack ran in front of them.
“Wait…please don’t go,” she pleaded.
Rainbow just looked away from her.
“I’m outta here. Later!” grumbled Rainbow.
She then saw Rainbow take to the sky and fly away.
‘Rainbow…’
“Bye, AJ,” Pinkie said, as she hopped away.
‘Not you too, Pinkie…’
As she was left alone, her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach. Her friends were just worried about her. And how did she pay them back? She yelled at them. She felt as she would put it ‘Lower than a rattler’s belly button’, and decided to head home. During the long lonely trek, she kept trying to figure out why she snapped like that. Sure she’s been annoyed by her friends before, but never to the point where she would yell at them the way she did. Still lost in thought, she eventually made her way home. Big Mac noticed she was feeling down, but when he asked about it she told it was nothing and headed to her room. As the events of the day started to churn in her mind, she gazed at the ceiling above to try and ponder the answers.
‘It must be because of that timberwolf. Ah have been actin’ a little outta place. But how can Ah fix it. Maybe Ah should listen to Rainbow and Pinkie and go see Twilight,’ she sighed. ‘Ah’ll do it tomorrow. Ah’m too tired ta go right now.’
She soon felt her eyelids become heavy as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
--------------------------------
As the sun set, Applejack was still resting in her bed. As she tossed and turned she began to have another weird dream. She found herself yet again in Everfree Forest; however, this time the forest was shrouded in a thick fog. As she walked around, she felt a dark presence was lurking in the shadows.
“Who’s there?” she called out.
The shadow then slowly crept closer and closer to her, like a manticore stalking its prey
“No! Stay away!”
The shadow rushed toward her at a fast pace. But when Applejack prepared to take a defensive stance, she was unable to move. She looked down to see that her hooves were planted into the ground.
“What the hay?!” Applejack screamed.
As she struggled to get free, the dark shadow wrapped itself around her to completely encompass her body. She soon felt it slowly try to invade her mind.
“No! STOP!” she said, as she tried to fight it off.
She then heard an eerie howl, and slowly drifted into a trance. Within moments, her world faded to darkness. At that same time, Big Mac was on his way to check on his sister when he heard a loud crash coming from her room. When he arrived, he saw his sister was gone and there was a large hole where her window use to be.
Later that night, a loving couple was headed home after a lovely date. One was an orange pegasus stallion with crimson mane and the other was a shy blue unicorn mare with a long raven black mane that draped slightly over her left eye. As they were nestled close the stallion let out a sigh.
“I had a fun time dear,” spoke Flamestomper.
“I did too. I’m glad you like it,” cooed Shy Heart.
He then draped his wing over his mare, and gave her a tender nuzzle.
“Maybe we should-”
Just then, they heard something rustle in the trees behind them.
“W-What was that?” asked Shy Heart, a little frightened.
Flamestomper then pulled her close to him.
“I don’t know. Maybe we should hurry home and-”
They then heard a distorted howl and then rapid approach wooden claws.
“Run!” screamed Shy.
With that, they both started to run. Flame looked over his shoulder and saw a shadow-like figure chasing them.
‘What is Equestria is that?’ thought Flame.
As soon as the two of them were just about the escape, the shadow leapt over them and lander in front of them. They saw the creature had the body of a pony (dark ochre coat, long bronze yellow mane and tail that billowed in the evening breeze, and piercing lime green eyes), but the wooden limbs, ears and back of a timberwolf.
“What is that think?” questioned Shy.
“I don’t know, dear. But stay behind me.”
The creature then began to circle around them, as it patiently stalked its prey.
“You stay back, you beast!” Flame shouted, as he flared his wings.
The beast let out a threatening roar, which cause them both to flinch.
“B-Be careful Flame,” spoke a worried Shy.
Just then, the beast leapt into the air to pounce on them. Flame pushed his beloved away and let the beast land on him. As he wrestled with the beast, he felt it bite down on the base of his wing.
“GAH!” Flame screamed in pain.
“Flame!” Shy cried out.
He then delivered a kick the beast’s stomach, which made it release his wing. With one swift motion, he managed to roll the beast off of him. Shaking off the hit, the beast then headed for Shy Heart.
“Shy!” he said, as he ran to intercept the beast.
“S-Stay back!” shouted Shy.
As the beast leapt in the air to pounce her, she then focused her magic and fired a magical blast at it. It was then sent crashing into the ground. After it made it to its claws, the beast then ran away. Flame then made his over to his mare.
“Shy, are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine. What about you?” she replied.
“I’m alright, dear. It’s just my wing.”
She then saw the blood that ran down his back from his wound.
“You poor thing,” she spoke.
“It’s nothing too serious. I’m just glad you’re okay,” he said with a nuzzle.
She then helped him get to the local hospital to be treated. Elsewhere in Ponyville, the beast then limped onto the Apple Family orchard. After it caught its breath, it found a nearby tree and passed out.
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.
It was early in the morning and the birds were chirping happily. Outside of Fluttershy’s cottage, a tea party was going on. In attendance was Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy. The three were chatting and enjoying their tea.
“Thank you for inviting us, darling. I really needed this,” spoke Rarity.
“Indeed, and this tea is really delicious,” said Twilight, as she took another sip.
“It’s no problem, girls. I’ve also made some delicious cucumber sandwiches and small bake goods,” Fluttershy mentioned as she placed the tray of snacks on the table.
“Ooh~ I’ll take a sandwich,” said Twilight.
“It looks simply divine,” stated Rarity, as she grabbed one of the tea cakes.
“So what did you wanna talk about, Fluttershy?” asked Twilight.
“Oh right…um…I was wondering if it was possible…to…um…” stuttered the timid pegasus.
“Yes?” Twilight inquired, as she took a bite of her sandwich.
Just before she was about to answer, both Twilight and Rarity’s tongues swell up and blue polka dots appeared all over their bodies.
“Oh my,” Fluttershy gasped.
“Whath the hay is gointh on?” shouted Twilight.
“My beawithful coat...Ith been ruined with blue polka dots,” cried Rarity.
----------
“Ooh, so that’s why they asked me that when I ate one,” Pinkie pointed out.
“Yes, Pinkie,” Twilight answered.
“Such a childish prank,” huffed Rarity.
“You’re getting a little ahead of the story, Pinkie,” said Discord.
“Oh right. Sorry…” Pinkie uttered.
----------
They soon heard the chaotic laughter that seemed to be coming from nowhere. But Twilight quickly discovered the source of the laughter.
“I knowth that laugh... DITHCORD!” she bellowed.
As if on cue, the master of chaos appeared. He was in tears with how hard he was laughing.
“You should see…the look on your faces. It’s priceless…” he manages through the laughter.
“Changth uth back. Right now!” demanded Twilight.
“Oh relax, Twilight. You know it’s not permanent,” he scoffed.
With a snap of his paw, he turned them back to normal.
“That was quite rude,” Rarity said with a huff.
“I was merely trying to liven things up,” he spoke with a roll of his eyes.
“What’re you even doing here? Can’t you see we’re in the middle of a tea party,” asked Twilight.
“Well my dear friend Fluttershy invited me. Isn’t that right?” he grinned.
They turned Fluttershy in disbelief, as she wore a sheepish smile.
“I did. Is that okay with you girls?” Fluttershy replied.
“It’s fine… As long as he behaves himself,” Twilight said.
“I’m sure he will behave himself. Right, Discord?”
At that moment, an angel halo appeared above his head.
“…Yes dear Fluttershy. I’ll do my best to behave.”
With the roll of their eyes, Rarity and Twilight turned their attention to their friend.
“Okay, I guess. Now, before we were so rudely interrupted. What were you going to say Fluttershy?” asked Twilight.
“Oh…um…I forgot,” she lied.
“Oh…okay then.”
At that moment, they saw Pinkie Pie hopping up to their tea party.
“Oh, hello Pinkie,” said Fluttershy.
“Hey guys. Whatcha up to?” she smiled.
“We’re having tea,” spoke Rarity.
“Ooh~ Sounds like fun! Can I join?” she asked, as she bounced in place.
“Why don’t we just invite everypony for tea?” Discord groaned.
“What? The rest of them are fine. I just made the ones you two at very special,” he chuckled, as he sipped his tea.
“May I ask why?” Twilight queried.
“No reason other than for my amusement,” he explained.
“Of course it was,” Twilight said with a facehoof.
Suddenly two ponies (a light blue unicorn mare and an orange pegasus stallion), came running up to them.
“Princess Twilight, thank goodness we found you,” the mare said with a bow.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” asked Twilight.
When the two caught their breath, the mare began to explain.
“Last night, we were attacked by a horrible creature.”
“A horrible creature?” replied Twilight.
“Yes, your highness. It was a strange timberwolf. It had the body of a pony, but the wooden limbs of a timberwolf,” stated the stallion.
“Sounds dreadful,” spoke Rarity.
“It was. That monster attack us out of nowhere. My dear Flame was bitten by the beast. Take a look,” the mare said as she pointed to his wing.
Flame then gingerly lifted his wing to display the injury. Twilight then used a spell to look at the wound underneath the bandage.
“Oh my, this creature could prove to be a problem,” Twilight speculated.
“Please princess, you have to stop this thing before it hurts somepony else,” pleaded the mare.
“Don’t worry, my friends and I will handle it. Come on girls!” assured Twilight.
“Right,” Rarity and Pinkie said with a nod.
“Oh…okay,” sighed Fluttershy.
“Sorry to cut this short, Fluttershy,” apologized Twilight.
Fluttershy gave her an understanding smile.
“It’s okay, Twilight. We can always have another one next time.”
“Why don’t you go with them, Fluttershy? I’ll stay here and keep an eye of your animals,” offered Discord.
She turned to him and gave him a hug.
“Oh thank you, Discord.”
“Anything for you, Fluttershy.”
----------
“Anything for Fluttershy, eh?” Pinkie teased, as she nudged Discord.
“Of course, Fluttershy is my dearest friend,” he replied.
Pinkie then looked at him with skeptical smile.
“Sure she is Discord,” Pinkie grinned.
“Anyways back to the story,” he huffed.
----------
Twilight then pulled Fluttershy close.
“You sure that’s a good idea, Fluttershy? Remember what happened last time?” whispered Twilight.
Fluttershy looked to Discord then back to Twilight.
“I’m sure it won’t end up like last time. I have faith that he can take care of them,” she assured Twilight.
“If you say so,” Twilight shrugged. “Now you go get Rainbow Dash and we’ll meet you at AJ’s to discuss how to handle this thing.”
“I’m on it,” said Fluttershy, as she took to the skies.
“Let go girls!”
The three mares then head off to Sweet Apple Acres. After a few minutes, the three had arrived at the farm. Twilight had went to the house to see if Applejack was there, but was informed by Big Mac that she was missing from her room. As Twilight walked back to the group, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had just arrived.
“We’re here, Twilight. What’s the problem?” asked Rainbow.
“A couple was attacked last night by a strange timberwolf. We need to catch before it hurts anypony else.”
“Alright, finally some action,” Rainbow cheered, as she stood on her hindlegs and jabbed the air with her forehooves.
As Fluttershy shook her head at her friend’s antics, she noticed somepony was missing.
“Um…Twilight? Where’s Applejack?”
“I don’t know. Big Mac said that she wasn’t in her room,” she explained.
“Where can she possible be?” wondered Fluttershy.
Just then, they heard approaching hoofstep. They then turned to see Applejack running up to them.
----------
The screen the started to fast forward. Pinkie then turned to Discord.
“Hey, we were watching that,” said Pinkie.
“Well I’m skipping the parts we already know. No point in going through that again,” spoke Discord.
Once he skip the timberwolf capture planning portion of the story, he resumed with the story.
----------
After being charged the task to get rotten carrots, Fluttershy ran quickly to her cottage. Once home she opened her door.
“Discord, I’m home. How’d my animals beha-”
Her eyes widen shock, as she saw her precious Angel tied up above a pot of boiling water was slowly being lowered into it. She watched in horror as Discord looked on with a sinister grin and devil horns.
“DISCORD!” she yelled.
Discord jumped in surprise and slowly turned to a furious pegasus.
“Umm…welcome back Fluttershy. How did it go-”
“What are you doing to Angel?!”
“Oh this? Uh…this isn’t what it looks like. The little dickens didn’t want to take his bath. He kept struggling, so I tied him up and was about to clean him.”
“Let him go right now!”
“Very well…”
With a snap of his paw, the boiling pot disappeared and Angel is freed. Before he hit the ground, Fluttershy caught Angel.
“Thank you,” said Fluttershy, as she headed into the kitchen.
As she rummaged through her cabinets, Discord hovered behind her.
“So…back so soon? I thought you girls were going to meet about that timberwolf thing?” he asked.
“We did meet and came up with a plan to lure it out.”
He then looked over her shoulder to see she was frantically looking for something.
“What, pray tell, are you looking for my dear?”
“My mulch bag full of rotten carrots. I need it to help attract the…eep…timberwolf.”
Discord’s expression turned to a serious one, as he teleported in front of her.
“You’re not actually saying that you’re going after that beast, are you?” he spoke with concern.
“Yes, we need to stop it from hurting anymore ponies. And I won’t be alone, Twilight and the others will be there too.”
As she checked by the oven, she caught the aroma of something sweet.
“Mmhm, what are you making Discord?” she asked.
“Oh that. I was going to surprise you with your favorite treat, my Equestrian famous Apple Crisps,” he stated.
“D-Did you s-say Apple crisps?” Fluttershy stuttered.
“Yes, I did say Apple crisps.”
Discord then opened the oven and pulled out the tray of fresh apple crisps. When he turned toward Fluttershy, he saw the timid pegasus was slowly backing away from him with hoof covering her muzzle.
“Oh come on, I know my cooking isn’t the best, but I know you love these,” he pouted.
As the sweet aroma traveled across the room, Fluttershy tried to resist the alluring scent. When the full fragrance hit her, she felt her fangs slowly protrude out.
“That’s sweet Discord,” said Fluttershy, as she covered her mouth. “But I’d rather not have one right now.”
“What?” Discord spoke with a raised eyebrow confused while he put down the tray down. “But you love my-”
He paused as he saw the his beloved friend was trembling. He then teleported behind his tense friend and started gently massage her shoulders and neck. Fluttershy melted under his touch and began to relax.
“Uh...that’s nice Discord,” she sighed.
----------
“Aww~” sighed Pinkie and Rarity.
Discord paused the story once again.
“What is it now?” Discord groaned.
“You’re just a big old softie, aren’t ya Dissy?” Pinkie teased.
“I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
“Come now, darling. You can’t be serious. First you surprise Fluttershy with her favorite treat, and then you give her a massage. You really do care for her don’t you?” asked Rarity.
“It’s nothing like that. I just felt bad that her tea party was interrupted by something other than me. So, I thought the snacks would cheer her up, and the massage was purely platonic.”
He then saw the two mares give him a knowing smirk. To which he rolled his eyes and continued the story.
----------
“Maybe you should lie down, my dear.”
In a flash, he summoned Rarity’s fainting couch and placed her on it while he continued to massage her.
----------
“So you’re the one that keeps taking my couch?!” Rarity hissed.
“Big deal. It’s not like you were using it at the time,” Discord responded, as he stuck out his tongue.
“That’s not the point here-”
“Shh! It’s just starting to get good,” spoke Pinkie.
The two then turned away from each in a huff, as the story continued.
----------
Fluttershy then let out a pleasured sigh as continued his tender service. As she opened her mouth he noticed that her canines were now pointed.
“When did you get those fangs?”Discord asked curiously. “They’re quite cute.”
“Oh no...” Fluttershy muttered to herself. “Um...I have to go.”
She quickly jumped up and headed for the door.
“But you just got back. Don’t you want these rotten carrots?” Discord said holding up the bag of mulch.
“I’ll be back for them. I’m...um…” she hesitated. “Just going out for a quick stroll.”
Once she was out the door, she ran down the road as fast as she could. As he stood there holding the bag of mulch, Discord was left in a state of confusion.
“Well that was quite odd. She hasn't acted like that since-”
It was then he knew exactly what was going on with her.
“Oh...this is going to be a fun evening,” he muttered, as he quietly chuckled.
About halfway to Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy clenched her mouth tight as she held her a hoof over her mouth.
“I must control myself,” she said to herself. “I must control myself. I…must…control…myself.”
She kept repeating this mantra, until she reached Sweet Apple Acres. Once there she bumped into Big Mac and asked him where she could find fresh apples. He pointed her toward the barn, stating that he just harvested a few of them earlier today. As she reached the barn door she let out a long sigh.
“Keep it together Fluttershy.”
She then slowly opened the door.
“Who is it?” asked Applejack.
Fluttershy peeked her head into the door.
“Applejack, it’s me Fluttershy.”
She then saw Applejack turn and greet her with a smile.
“Hey there, Fluttershy,” Applejack greeted. “Did ya need somethin’, sugarcube?”
As the scent of fresh apples hit her nostrils, Fluttershy tried to remain calm. As a result, she began to shift around nervously.
“Um…I was wondering…if I could have some fresh apples?” she asked.
When she looked back to her, she saw Applejack gave her a tilted glance.
“Yeah, of course ya can. There some right over there,” she said as she pointed to a cart of fresh apples.
Once she gaze upon the fresh apples, the sunlight that reflected off of them made them look divine. Fluttershy felt her eyes grow to the size of saucers as a little bit of drool started to trickle down her chin. She slowly felt her control start to slip as she began to lick her lips at the thought of devouring all the apples in that cart. She quickly steeled her resolve and she had a little grin upon her face as she flew across the room to the cart.
“Thanks AJ.”
Applejack gave a warm smile.
“Not a problem Flutter-”
Before she could finish, Fluttershy quickly grabbed as many apples as she could carry and then flew out the door.
“-shy… What the hay was that about?” Applejack asked bewildered.
With her prize in hoof, Fluttershy then flew quickly back to her cottage.
--------------------------------
As Fluttershy arrived back to her cottage, she rushed upstairs to her room and locked herself inside. When she placed the apples on the floor, she started to fall into a trance. She then began to devour the apples one by one. While she ate, Fluttershy felt herself start to change. Her normal long, flowing pink mane became jagged and darkened in color, her gentle cyan eyes were now crimson red, her yellow coat turn to a darker shade and her Cutie Mark was now three dark pink bats. Fluttershy was no longer able to fight it any longer as her darker half, Flutterbat, was now in control.
With every apple she’d devour, she would spit out into a pile of dried appled. With the final apple now gone, she began to lick her lips for any juice that might’ve escaped from her lips. While she did this, she then caught the smell of another apple that was coming from behind her. She turned her head around and narrowed her eyes as she saw the apple was in Discord’s paw. As she turned around fully, Discord sported his trademark toothy grin.
“Well…well…well, what have we here?” Discord said, as he tossed the apple in the air.
Flutterbat gave a low hiss.
“I absolutely love the new look,” said Discord. “And just how long have you been keeping this from me?”
Flutterbat just hissed in response, she quickly flew at him and grabbed the apple while in midair. Within seconds, she drank it dry and spat it out onto the floor. With a hearty laugh, Discord snapped up another apple into his paw.
“Come this way, my dear,” he said in an alluring tone as he floated out of the room.
She then followed him close, while she kept the apple in her view.
“So, can you understand me?” he asked.
She nodded in response, never once losing vision on the apple. Intrigued, he then offered the apple to her.
”Can you still speak?” he asked.
Flutterbat shook her head and grabbed the apple out of his paw and devoured it once more. Once again, he snapped up another apple.
“So, about that timberwolf business…mind if we talk about it?”
The bat mare let out an angry hiss and quickly snatched the apple from his paw and flew to the ceiling and hung upside down.
“Hmph…I guess not,” he huffed.
Discord then teleported up to her. As he hovered upside down, he saw her glare at him with her crimson eyes as she wrapped herself in her wings.
“So how long are you going to be this way?” he asked.
She doesn’t even respond to him. Discord was at a loss as to what to do for her. But he soon he found himself lost in her ‘adorable’ crimson eyes. It felt as if he were under a trance, as he could’ve sworn she batted her eyes at him.
Discord, a bit lovestruck, gently placed his talon on her rough, yet somehow still soft, mane and slowly brushed it. In response, Flutterbat angrily hissed at him and bite him. Discord snapped out the trance, to see that she was now biting his talon. Her teeth were deep enough that it started to bleed. As he saw his blood hit the floor he wasn't angry, upset or even terrified. He was just sympathetic.
“It’s okay…” he responded.
His reaction caught her off guard, as she tilted her head of confusion. While his talon was in her mouth, he used his paw to continue to keep brushing her mane.
“Even if you have a darker coat, pointed ears, sharp fangs, different wings and those lovely crimson eyes...You’re still my dear Fluttershy.”
Discord then leaned over to her and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. This made Flutterbat slightly blush. She then quickly released him and flew out of the room.
“Wait!” he called out.
He then followed after her. As they flew around the house, he soon found out that her bat pony self is a lot more agile and faster flier. She soon made her way outside she then hung upside down again on a tree branch. Discord stood beneath the tree a little out of breath.
“She certainly more agile than I’m use to…” he said a little winded.
Once he caught his breath, he summoned a baked apple crisp.
“I know you’re not going to say much, but I’d really like it if you can down and listened.”
As the bouquet of the fresh apple crisp reached her nostrils, Flutterbat slowly tucked her wings away to look at him.
“Now I don’t quite know what happened to you, my dear. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing that it happened,” Discord said, as he slowly waved the baked treat.
She licked her lips at the sight of such a delicious smelling delicacy. As the hungry bat mare quickly flew down to take the fresh baked apple crisp for him, Discord quickly spawned a collar around her neck.
“Now I know that this might seem a touch strange, but I am running out of apples and I’d really like to keep you from flying away,” he said, as he attached the leash to the collar.
Flutterbat then tried to get the collar off of her neck. As she struggled, she looked up to see that the moon was being covered by clouds. With the moon now hidden, she started to turn back into her pegasus self. She then shook head.
“Ugh…what happened?” she muttered to herself.
She noticed that she was wearing a collar attached to a leash that was held by Discord.
“Umm…Discord? Why am I wearing a collar?” she asked with a heavy blush.
Discord stammered to respond and quickly snapped the collar off of her. Before she could ask what was going on she notice shirvelled apples on the ground. Her pupils shrunk in horror.
“Oh, no. Did I-”
She then looked to the sky to see it was about night time.
“Oh no, I’m late! I have to go!”
She quickly flew into the house for the mulch bag of rotten carrots and headed into town. Discord then seemingly looked into the camera confused.
“What just happened?”
----------
As the screen started to fast forward again, Discord looked beside him to see that Pinkie was giving him a teasing smirk.
“What?” Discord deadpanned.
“I didn’t know you were so naughty, Dissy…” she said with playful glance.
“It wasn’t anything like that. I was just trying to keep her from flying off again,” he defended.
The girls then look at him with wagging eyebrows.
“I’m telling you it wasn’t like that,” Discord groaned.
“It’s okay, Dissy. We all have at least one or two kinks,” Pinkie said with a wink.
He then rolled his eyes and resumed playing of the story at the point where Fluttershy ran back her cottage later that night.
----------
She was flying at a fevered pace back to her cottage, with Pinkie Pie close behind her.
As she reached her cottage, Fluttershy flew and slammed the door behind her. She then quickly locked the door. Fluttershy then fell to the floor to catch her breath. She was desperately trying to maintain control and not let out Flutterbat.
“You can do this, Fluttershy,” she muttered to herself. “You can control it…as long I don’t go outside and see or smell an-”
The mare’s thought were cut short when to her horror and delight she saw a buffet of various apple treats on her kitchen table. Among them were apple pies, apple cider, caramel apples, apple fitters, apple muffins, apple sauce, apple pancakes, etc.
As she slowly backed into the door, the timid mare’s breath became erratic at the scent of all the sweet and delicious looking apples that were now in front of her. Though she tried to fight the sweet fragrance of the alluring apple treats, Fluttershy soon found that it was a losing battle. Without even realizing it, she had already began to walk toward the table. With each step her mouth began to water as she slowly began to change. She felt her fangs start to protrude out of her mouth.
“They…look…so…delicious…” she uttered in a trance like tone.
Halfway through the transformation, she came to her senses and stopped her march to the bounty of apples.
“No! I…can’t… I don’t want this…” she quietly wept to herself.
She then saw an apple roll across the room and stop at her hooves. She then looked up to see that Discord was lounging on the pile of apples next to the table. He then smiled at her while he took a bite of an apple.
“I’m curious, my dear.” Discord spoked with a soothing voice while taking another bite of the apple. “Why do you fight that part of you?”
“Why…why Discord? Why are you doing this?” Fluttershy asked horrified.
Before he could answered they heard a loud knock at the door.
“Fluttershy, what’s wrong?” Pinkie Pie shouted, as she continued to bang on the door.
“Please Pinkie…” Fluttershy cried out “Just go away.”
She looked to see the he had teleported next to her.
“It’s simple my dear…” Discord spoke wrapping around her like a his snake. “I just want to help you accept who you’ve become…let it happen.”
Fluttershy clenched her teeth as she tried to resist the transformation.
“But…why?”
Discord gently placed his claw on her mane slowly stroked it.
“Because no matter what you change into, you’d still be you.
“Discord…”
“So want to I’m going to help you control it. We wouldn’t want you to attack anypony, right?” he said as he show her his bandaged talon.
“Did I do that to you?” she gasped.
“Yes, my dear but I know that it was only in self-defense.”
He then grinned as he wrapped around her and lifted her chin to meet his gaze.
“Since the day we met I’ve always saw you as the strong pony,” he spoke in a hushed tone.
“S-Strong? Me?” she asked incredulously.
“Yes, dear Fluttershy. You…who selflessly sacrifices for her friends without expecting anything in return. You…who cares for others more than for herself,” he continued as he leaned closer, which caused her to blush. “You… looked at me, the embodiment of chaos, and saw past my faults to offer me your friendship. To me that make you the strongest pony I know.”
This caused her slightly to tear up.
----------
Discord paused it when he heard the sound of sniffling. He looked to see the girls were teary-eyed.
“Discord…that was beautiful,” said Twilight.
“I wasn’t that big of a deal. I was just-”
“Speaking from the heart?” Rarity chimed in.
“Well…yes…” he blushed.
Pinkie then wrapped him into a big hug.
“Aw, Dissy. You act all mean and nasty, but deep down you’re just a big old softie,” she smiled.
He then let out an annoyed groan.
“I’m never gonna live this down…” he facepalmed.
“Nope, I’ll be milking this for all it’s worth,” grinned Rainbow.
“Whatever, let’s just finish the rest of the story…”
He then continued the story.
----------
“So let me help you with this,” he offered.
Hesitant at first, Fluttershy gave an approving nod. With a grin, Discord released her and summoned another apple. He then began to swing it like a pendulum. Her eyes then followed the captivating fruit, and began to fall into a trance. When she started to reach for the apple, another loud knock on the door caused her to snap out of her trance.
“Why won’t you help, Fluttershy?” Pinkie Pie asked. “We’re gonna need your help catching this timberwolf.”
Fluttershy then shook her head and groaned.
“Please…Pinkie Pie…just go away.”
“So, you’re still going after that timberwolf?” Discord asked while he continued to swing the apple.
“Yes…” she admitted. “But…I can’t…not like this…”
She her focus then shifted back to the apple. As the apple pendulum swung, Fluttershy felt her inner bat wanting to get out.
“Indeed. That big…strong…nasty timberwolf might hurt some innocent pony. You might not be able to stop it, but I bet Flutterbat could.”
“I…can?”
With a smile, Discord placed his talon at the base of her neck and glided it down her back which caused her to shiver. She then looked at him to see a confident grin on his face.
“I know you can…Flutterbat…”
As his words reached her ears, she felt the transformation take hold. With nothing to hold her back any longer, she completed the full Flutterbat transformation. She then looked around in confusion. Yet again Discord summoned another apple.
“Apple, my dear?” he offered.
Flutterbat snatched the apple and started eating it. Discord grinned at her actions.
“There you go…”
Once done, she saw the apple buffet on the table. With licked lips, Flutterbat began to consume every apple dish in sight. Discord watched in amusement, as he bore witness to his once timid friend now turned bat pony and eating everything that was within her range. Seemingly in a flash, she had devoured the whole buffet. Still not sated, the bat mare turned her attention to Discord. With her eyes narrowed, she slowly walked toward him with a predatory hiss. Discord then took a step back from her.
“Easy now…it’s me Fluttershy. It’s your friend Discord. I know that probably I smell like apples right now, but I assure you that I’m not one,” he said, as he flailed his talon and paw.
She ignored his words and continued to stalk him. With each step, her hissing became louder and louder. As she advanced, Discord continued to take steps backwards.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea,” he gulped. “Fluttershy…I know you’re in there. You have to take control.”
She then let out a loud hiss. Discord was then prepare to teleport away, but he wasn’t quick enough as he was tackled to the floor by her. As she pinned him to the ground, she began to sniff his body.
“Umm…what exactly are you doing, my dear?” he asked a little frightened.
She ignored him and kept sniffing his body. The aroma of sweet cotton candy mixed with apples both intrigued and confused the mare. She knew this scent, but couldn’t quite put her hoof on it. Instead of biting him, like he thought she would, she moved off of him. As he sat up, she tilted her head in confusion. It was if she was trying to remember who he is.
“F-Fluttershy? Are you still in there?” he asked cautiously.
Before she could react, her ears perked up as she heard an eerie howl. Baring her teeth, she flew out the door, almost knocking it off its hinges, and headed toward Ponyville. As Pinkie then ran after her, Discord merely chuckled.
“Good luck my dear…”
----------
“And there you have it,” Discord spoke, as he snapped away the screen and projector.
Discord turned to see Twilight was looking at him while she rubbed her temples.
“Okay, I understand that you were just trying to help her control her bat pony self, but did you ever stop to think that tonight might not have been the best night for that?” she spoke with annoyance.
Discord then rolled his eyes and folded his arms.
“I was only trying to help my friend,” he huffed.
“We understand that darling, but how can turning her into Flutterbat possibly help us?” Rarity questioned.
“It simple really. What better way to stop a monster than with another one?” Discord explained as he stroked his beard. “Plus, I may be able to win this bet…”
“Wait…what was that last part?” Pinkie asked with an arched eyebrow.
Before Discord could respond, Timberjack let out a howl. They look to see the she had finished her wood. She then headed toward the Town Square.
“Somepony stop her!” Rainbow shouted.
Flutterbat ears perked and looked up to see Timberjack was escaping. She then opened her wings and pursued her.
“Fluttershy…wait…” shouted Twilight.
Timberjack looked back to see that she’s being chased by Flutterbat. The wooden pony growled angrily and continued running faster. Flutterbat quickly closed the gap between them, but wasn’t able to fully catch up with her. That’s when Flutterbat came up with a plan. She flew up and then hid in the shadows. When Timberjack looked back and saw that she wasn’t being chased anymore, she slowed her pace to a trot. After a few seconds, she’s then tackled by Flutterbat. As the two rolled around on the ground, Timberjack managed to grab her and throw Flutterbat off of her. When Flutterbat got to her hooves, they two glared at each other with gritted teeth. After a brief standoff, they both charged each other to begin their epic battle.
Before they reached each other, Flutterbat leapt into the air to pounce on Timberjack. While she was in midair, Timberjack dug her claws into the ground and scooped up a lump of dirt. Before she could tackle her, Timberjack dodged and flung the dirt in Flutterbat’s eyes. As she fell to the ground, Flutterbat hissed in pain. While her foe was temporarily blinded, Timberjack charged her. She then thrusted herself into a vertical spin tackle and knocked Flutterbat into the nearby tree. Timberjack then let out a mocking snort.
With her eyes now cleared, Flutterbat took to the skies.
“What is she doing?”
Once she was high enough, Flutterbat dove at Timberjack. While she was diving, she tucked in her wings and began to spin clockwise. Confused, Timberjack took a defensive stance. As she descended, her body was then wrapped swirl in case of swirling air. Just before she reached Timberjack, she unfurled her wings to stop herself which caused the gust of wind rushed toward Timberjack. As the wind hit Timberjack is then sent flying toward the ground. Before she could get to her claws, Flutterbat came from behind her and pinned her to the ground. With a feral hiss, Flutterbat prepared to bite her neck. Timberjack then wrapped her tail around hindleg and tossed her off of her back. As she hovered in the air, Flutterbat let out a loud hiss. Timberjack then growled at her as the two of them squared off.
“Girls! Please, you have to stop!” pleaded Twilight.
They both then glared at her with a hiss and bark, which made her flinch.
“What are we going to do Twilight?” asked Rarity.
“Can’t you use a spell or something to change them back?” inquired Rainbow.
“Maybe, but we’ll need them to be still for a few moments,” answered Twilight.
They then turned to see the two of them still fighting and moving at an incredible speed.
“That’s easier said than done Twilight. They’re moving way too fast. Even for me,” pointed out Rainbow.
“We have to think of something,” spoke Twilight.
Timberjack then charged Flutterbat with yet another spinning tackle. But being prepared for it this time, Flutterbat was easily able to dodge her assault. With the momentary opening, she then bite down hard onto Timberjack’s wooden back. With a howl of pain, Timberjack then quickly slashed the chest of Flutterbat. This caused her to release Timberjack and fall to the ground. While she nursed her wound, Timberjack leapt in the air to pounce on her.
Flutterbat quickly reacted by delivering an uppercut that sent Timberjack crashing into a tree and then fell to the ground. She then struggled to get to her claws. Just as she was to a vertical base, Flutterbat delivered a strong headbutt that sent her flying backward. She then skidded to a stop and glared at Flutterbat. As she looked at her foe, a trickle of blood ran over her right eye. As she wiped it off, she gave Flutterbat a smug grin and then charged her again.
“Can’t you think of something Twilight?! They’re going to kill each other if this keeps up!” exclaimed Rarity.
Twilight’s horn then lit up.
“You two have to STOP!” she shouted.
She then fired a spell that sent out a shockwave that temporarily trapped them within a violet aura. They both then tried to move their limbs, but could only move their eyes. The others breathed a sigh of relief.
“So, how long will that spell hold for?” asked Pinkie.
“Not for long. A few seconds…a minute at the most,” she groaned. “We have to figure out a way to change them back.”
“Can’t you just use a reverse spell on them?” inquired Rarity.
“I suppose I could try…”
Twilight’s horn then illuminated again. She then fired a spell at her two trapped friends. After a brief flash, the two still remained in their transformed state. They both then looked at her with angry glares.
“What? Why didn’t it work?” asked Pinkie.
As the spell started wear off, the two struggled to break free.
“Ugh, if I only knew how they both transformed I could figure out how to reverse this,” Twilight stated.
“Well…,” Discord chimed in.
“Do you know something, Dissy?” asked Pinkie.
“Nevermind…it’s nothing important,” he teased.
“What are you hiding?” Twilight probed with an arched eyebrow.
“Come now, would I keep something from my dear friends?” he spoke, with an angel halo appearing above him.
“Yes…Yes you would…” replied Pinkie.
“What she said,” said Twilight.
“Now that’s just hurtful. Well, in any case we should just enjoy the show,” he said as he summoned some popcorn and a black shirt with red lettering that said ‘Team Flutterbat’. “Let’s go Flutterbat!”
“DISCORD!” they girls shouted.
After he rubbed his ears, he turned to them with an annoyed frown.
“Fine,” he groaned, as he snapped away his popcorn and shirt. “You ponies can be so needy at times.”
“Whatever, Discord. Now tell us what you know,” said Twilight.
“Okay, first will need to cover the full moon for Flutterbat. But for Timberjack we need a piece of bark from the weretimberwolf that bite her,” he explained.
“Weretimberwolf? What in the hoof is that?” asked Twilight.
“Really? I thought you of all ponies would’ve know what that is. What with you being a bookworm and all.”
“I’m not a bookworm! Anyway, where can we find it?”
“Beats me…” Discord shrugged.
At that moment, they then heard an eerie howl that seemed to be coming from the Everfree Forest.
“What was that?” gulped Rarity.
“I dunno. Wait that must be that weretimberwolf thingy,” pointed out Pinkie.
Just then, the spell had worn off. Now freed, Timberjack and Flutterbat then glared at each other for a moment. But soon Timberjack turned her attention to Twilight.
“Uh-oh!” gulped Twilight.
“Oh boy, I’m glad I’m not you right now,” chuckled Discord. “I’d run if I were you.”
With a snap, he then disappeared.
“Rainbow, you and Pinkie go see if you can track down this weretimberwolf and get some of its bark. Rarity and I will try to keep these two under control.
“Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie saluted.
“Right, let’s go Pinkie!” spoke Rainbow.
The two then headed for the Everfree Forest. Rarity then turned her attention to Twilight.
“Let's go, darling!”
“Rig-GAH!”
Twilight then was tackled to the ground by Timberjack. When Twilight looked up, she saw Timberjack bare her fangs at her.
“AH!” Twilight screamed.
Just as she was about to bite Twilight, she was hit in the head by a stick that was thrown by Rarity.
“Bad Timberjack,” she said.
Before she could react, Timberjack was then knocked off of Twilight by Flutterbat. As she rolled onto her claws, Timberjack then growled at Flutterbat. She then charged her with a pouncing leap. Flutterbat then moved quickly to the side and grabbed her tail. Flutterbat then swung her around and smashed her into a wall. Able to shake off the hit, Timberjack lunged at her and swiped her claws across Flutterbat’s eyes. She let out a pained hiss as she shook her head. While she rubbed her eyes, Timberjack bucked her into a nearby tree. As Timberjack was about to pounce on her, she’s blasted by Rarity into a back alley. With Timberjack temporarily stunned, Rarity tends to Flutterbat’s wounds.
“I sure hope Rainbow and Pinkie get back soon,” said Rarity.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest, Pinkie and Rainbow were trying to track down the weretimberwolf they heard. They’d been search for a few minutes, but still no sighting.
“This is gonna take forever,” groaned Rainbow. “Where is this stupid thing?”
“I'm sure that it’s around here somewhere. I couldn’t have gotten too far,” stated Pinkie.
“I guess, but we need to hurry before –”
Before Rainbow could finish her sentence, the weretimberwolf jumped out and landed in front of them. It then glared at the two mares.
“Guess we found’em…” gulped Pinkie.
“Perfect! Now, let’s take that beast down!” said Rainbow, with a confident poise.
“Y-Yeah!” spoke a not so confident Pinkie.
It then stood up tall, to which it was three heads taller than them, and let out a loud primal roar. While Pinkie flinched, Rainbow flew to it to try and tackle it. The beast quickly dodged her advance, and deliver a swipe of it paw that sent her crashing into the tree behind it. Pinkie rushed over to her friend
“Ooh, that one had to hurt,” stated Pinkie.
“Ugh…why that no good!”
When Rainbow got up to try again, she saw that it had disappeared.
“Where the heck did he go?!” bellowed Rainbow.
“I dunno, he was there a second ago,” replied Pinkie.
The two then split off to try and find it.
“He has to be around here…some…where…” Pinkie said, as she soon felt the heated breath of the beast on the back of her neck.
She then froze in place.
“R-Rainbow! It’s b-behind me!” she loudly whispered.
Rainbow then quickly turned around to see the beast just inches away from Pinkie.
“Pinkie don’t…move… Don’t make a sound…”
“Easy…for…you…to…say…”
Rainbow then picked up a rock.
“Rainbow…what’re you doing?!”
“Hey ugly! Pick somepony your own size!” shouted Rainbow, as she threw it into the beast eyes.
It shook off the hit and then dove for Dash. Unable to get out of the way in time, Rainbow was pinned to the ground.
“Dashie!” Pinkie gasped.
“Hey, get off of me you poor excuse for a timberwolf!” Rainbow said, as she struggled to get free.
It then bared it’s fangs as it was prepared to bite down on Rainbow. Before it could, the behemoth was tackled by Pinkie Pie. As the two rolled around on the ground, Pinkie ended with the beast on top of her. She then quickly grabbed a nearby fallen branch and block the incoming biting attempt. Once to her hooves, Rainbow headed toward Pinkie.
“Just hold on, Pinkie. I’m gonna try and grab some of its bark. Then we can head back to the others.”
“HURRY!” she screamed, as she was barely able to hold the behemoth at bay.
Rainbow looked around to see what she could use to tie up the beast. She then notice a group of vines in the distance. Rainbow then quickly grabbed the vines and began to tie up the beast. In a flash, she wrapped up its four legs. The wooden wolf noticed and snapped at Rainbow, to which she wrapped up his muzzled. Before it could fall, Pinkie hastily moved from under him. The two then laughed at the now hogtied timberwolf.
“Good job, Dashie,” Pinkie cheered.
“Thanks, now to get that bark!”
As she got closer to the wooden wolf, it began to struggle to get free. Rainbow then pull off a piece of wood from its hindleg, which caused it to let out a pained whimper.
“We got it! Now let's get this back to the others!” stated Rainbow.
“Right!”
As the two were walking away, they heard a snap of a talon.
“What was that?” asked Pinkie.
“I don’t–”
The two are then knocked into a nearby tree. They then looked to see that timberwolf got free and had retrieved its lost bark.
“How the hay did it get free?” exclaimed Rainbow.
It then let out a vociferous and tempered roar that blew back their manes.
“We should run…” suggested Pinkie.
“Agreed…”
The two then bolted from the beast, who then chased after them.
“I hope Rarity and Twilight are having better luck than we are,” said Rainbow.
--------------------------------
Back in Ponyville, Rarity is sent flying to the ground as Timberjack had delivered a spin tackle to her. Timberjack then started to slowly stalk the fashionista.
“Stay back, you vicious wolf,” she warned as she illuminated her horn.
With a smug grin, Timberjack then disappeared from her sight.
“What?! Where did she go?!”
Before she could survey the area, she is tackled to the ground. She then saw Timberjack loom over her.
“N-Nice Timberjack…remember I’m your friend…Rarity…” she pleaded.
Timberjack let out a loud howl and was prepared to bite her.
“Twilight, darling. I need your help!” she screamed.
Twilight then ran to her and blasted Timberjack off of her.
“You okay, Rarity?” she asked.
“I'm fine. Thank you darling.”
Angered, Timberjack then charged the two of them and leapt up to pounce on them. Twilight quickly sheltered them behind a barrier. As Timberjack landed on the barrier, she started to swipe at it.
“Where’s Flutterbat?” asked Twilight.
“I don’t know. I lost track of her after Timberjack tackled me.”
Timberjack kept hitting the barrier with more and more force. Then with a powerful swipe, she shattered the barrier and sent both of them flying into a tree. Timberjack then slowly stalked her prey.
“AJ please...it’s us...” Twilight tried to reason.
“We’re not going to hurt you, darling. We only want to help you.”
Before she could get any closer to the two of them, Flutterbat landed between them and let out a loud hiss. To which Timberjack replied with a feral roar. Flutterbat then charged into battle.
“Wait stop!” cried out Twilight.
She chose to ignore her friend's plea and continued for her foe. With Flutterbat almost on her, Timberjack then stomped the ground to propel herself to get a boosted jump. She then tackled her to the ground. As she was pinned to the ground, Flutterbat tried to get freed but was unable to release herself from Timberjack’s strong claws. Timberjack then scratched her chest and she let out a pained hiss. On reflex, Flutterbat then bite down on her shoulder which caused Timberjack to bite the base of her left wing. Then with a swift kick to the stomach, Timberjack was knocked off of her.
With labored breath, the wooden mare shakily got to her claws. When she saw that Flutterbat had disappeared, she looked around for her. She was then tackled from behind and pinned to the ground on her stomach. She turned her head to see that Flutterbat was on top of her and was prepared to bite down on her neck. Timberjack then wrapped her tail around the vampiric mare’s leg and tossed her off of her.
Regaining her composure, Flutterbat then used her wings to propel herself toward the wooden mare. Unable to react in time, Flutterbat delivered another vicious headbutt. Able to withstand the force of the hit, Timberjack countered with a slash to her cheek. Not losing a beat, Flutterbat quickly went behind her and grabbed her tail with her mouth. She then tugged it and began to spin the wooden mare in a circle. She then released her and sent her flying toward a house.
Using quick thinking, Timberjack then landed on the wall and then thrusted herself toward Flutterbat. Flutterbat then moved out of the way and stomped on her back which caused her to hit the ground hard. With a pained whimper, Timberjack slung another scoop of dirt into Flutterbat’s eyes.
Timberjack then knocked her into an abandon house. With fresh blood now running over her left eye, Timberjack charged in after her. Twilight and Rarity could only look on with worry.
Back at the Everfree Forest, Pinkie and Rainbow were running for their lives from the irritate timberwolf. They tried as hard as they could to shake the beast, but he kept up his pace after them.
“Hurry Pinkie! It’s after us!” Rainbow panted, as she tried outrun the beast.
“I'm right behind you, Rainbow!”
As they continued through the forest, they see that the weretimberwolf start to get closer to them.
“We gotta lose this thing! Any ideas Pinkie?” asked Rainbow.
“Just one…”
“You do? What is it?”
“You’ll see…” Pinkie said with a wink.
With that, Pinkie Pie split off from Rainbow and headed into a nearby bush.
“What the-? Pinkie, where are you going?”
The weretimberwolf then leapt into the air to pounce on her. As Rainbow turned around, she was then pinned to the ground. As the beast loomed over her it bared its fangs and lowly growled at her. Rainbow desperately tried to free herself.
“Err… get off of me!” she grunted.
At that moment, the weretimberwolf raised its head to signal that it was about to bite her.
“GAH! PINKIE!” she screamed.
Just as it was lunged downward with its muzzle agaped, it soon found its jaws roped shut. Rainbow looked up to see that Pinkie was now straddling the beast back and had tied up its muzzle.
“Giddy up little Timby!” said Pinkie with a grin.
When the weretimberwolf noticed her on its back, it started to buck out while Pinkie held on tight.
“Yeehaw!” she cheered.
Pinkie then guided the brute off of Rainbow and into a tree. As it fell to the ground, she quickly hogtied it again. Rainbow was left in awe with how fast Pinkie subdued the monster.
“What the hay? Where’d you get that rope and how’d you learn to do that?” she asked. After she made sure the beast was secure, she turned to answer her friend.
“Simple, I got the rope for that tree over there. I have ropes stashed all over the place in case of rope emergencies. Second, I help AJ train for her last rodeo she competed in and picked up a few things,” she replied.
“Uh…okay. Whatever. Now, let’s get that bark and get back to Ponyville.”
“Yeah!”
As Rainbow made her way over to the now tangled creature, it began to thrash about to try and get free.
“He’s a lively one, ain’t he?” chuckled Rainbow.
“Y’know, when he’s not chasing us he’s actually kinda cute,” squeed Pinkie.
“Yeah, he’s a regular ol’ teddy bear,” Rainbow said with rolled eyes.
As the weretimberwolf continued to thrash around, Rainbow was able to snag another piece of bark.
“All right, now let’s get out of her before the same thing that happened that did last time happens again.
The two friends then left the beast tied up and headed back to Ponyville.
“Let’s just hope we’re not too late,” said Rainbow.
--------------------------------
Back at the fight, the mares were still engaged in a heated battle. Timberjack then skidded to a stop after Flutterbat had delivered a left forehoof to her muzzle. Timberjack wiped her mouth and spat out the blood that was within.
The two then began to circle each other again. Both were just waiting for the other to show any sign of fatigue or weakness. Timberjack then came up with an idea to end the fight. She then jumped back and got to a pouncing position. Confused, Flutterbat retreated to a defensive position. In a flash, Timberjack was gone.
“Not this again…” groaned Rarity. “Keep your guard up, darling. She could pop up anywhere.”
The three then scan the area to see if they could possibly find her. Without warning, Timberjack appeared behind Flutterbat. Before she could react, Timberjack kicked her in back with force the sent her flying forward. Before she got too far, Timberjack appeared in front of her. In a blinding burst, Timberjack then swirled around Flutterbat and delivered a series of rapid slashes to her body.
“Flutterbat!” cried Rarity.
After a few attacks, Timberjack stopped her assault and retreat from Flutterbat. To their horror, Twilight and Rarity saw that her hooves and body were covered with various placed scratches. Flutterbat then fell to the ground, to which Timberjack let out a victorious howl. She then started to make her way over to her fallen prey.
“Applejack please stop this!” pleaded Twilight.
Her petition fell on deaf ears, as Timberjack slowly made her way over to Flutterbat. As she stood before the beaten mare she gave a cocky snort. Just as she was about to deliver the final blow, Timberjack was caught off guard by a headbutt to the chin. While stunned, Flutterbat grabbed her tail with her fangs and began to spin her around. After a few motions, Flutterbat released her tail and sent Timberjack sailing into the air. Though her wings were in agony, she ascended to greet her foe. Timberjack tried to swipe at her, but Flutterbat easily evaded the attack. It was now her turn to go on the offensive, as she delivered a series of hoof strikes to the face and body.
After a few blows, Flutterbat then kicked her toward the ground. As she was falling, Flutterbat dove for her. Once again she tucked in her wings and began to rapidly spin clockwise. And just as before a swirl of wind began to case around her body. While she continued to spin, she contacted Timberjack’s body. Just before the two reached the ground, Flutterbat unfurled her wings and stopped her momentum which sent the gust of wind and Timberjack crashing into the ground.
“Timberjack!” cried Twilight.
When Flutterbat landed on the ground, it was apparent that her last attack used the last bit of strength she had left. When she limped over to her opponent, she saw that Timberjack was embedded in the ground and seemed to be unconscious. Her friends breathed a sigh of relief that they felt the fight was now over.
“Flutterbat did it…” stated Rarity.
“I’m just glad it ended before it could become fatal,” replied Twilight.
Flutterbat then started to make her way over to her friends. They could see that she was limping and need medical attention.
“The poor dear. Let’s go tend to her,” said Rarity.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Twilight spoke. “Then we can…tend…to…Timber…jack…”
“Darling? What’s wrong?”
Twilight then pointed over to where Timberjack crashed. Rarity turned in that direction and felt her heart sink into her stomach. She saw that Timberjack had made it back to her claws. Though she struggled to remain vertical, she let out a howl to get Flutterbat’s attention. As she turned around, Flutterbat’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks. She couldn’t believe that not only did Timberjack survived, but she was actually able to stand. With a low growl, Timberjack began to sway back and forth. As she did this she seemed to be falling into a trance.
“W-What’s she doing?” gulped Rarity.
“I don’t know,” answered Twilight.
After a few moments, they all saw a sinister smirk appear on Timberjack’s face. With that, she disappeared in a swirl of purple haze. They then saw a scratch mark on a nearby house, then another on the ground next to them, and then on a tree.
“What is she-” started Twilight before she was scratched on her back.
“Twilight!” Rarity cried, before she was scratched on her left side.
The two fell to the ground. Though the scratches weren’t severe, they were enough to draw blood. Flutterbat tried desperately to locate her foe but was unable to. She then saw a set of claw marks that seemed to be heading toward her. Just as marks were about to reach her, they stop. Cautious, Flutterbat perks her ears to try and listen for Timberjack’s movements. This proved futile as she soon felt a scratch knock her upwards. It was then she was barraged by a series of slashes that kept sending her upward.
“Flutterbat!”
After a few moments, while in midair, Timberjack appeared in front of Flutterbat. She then delivered a kick that sent Flutterbat crashing to the ground. The impact caused her to bounce off the ground and then land on it facedown. Now back on the ground, Timberjack panted heavily as her body was now at its limit. As she gingerly walked over to the now unconscious Flutterbat. With each step she took, Timberjack was struggling to stay on her claws.
“Twilight…we have to stop her…” Rarity winced.
They both tried to get up to stop her. As she reached Flutterbat, Timberjack kicked her over onto her back. When she looked at her unconscious foe, she howled triumphantly. She then raised her claw to deliver the final blow.
“Flutterbat!” Rarity shouted.
As she was prepared to strike, the clouds overhead covered the full moon’s glow. She then saw Flutterbat slowly change back into Fluttershy. When she saw this, Timberjack’s eyes widened and she stopped just inches from Fluttershy’s chest. With labored breath, she loomed of the unconscious mare. She then began to sniff her.
“What is she doing?” Twilight queried.
As she was sniffing her, she was then tackled off of Fluttershy by Rainbow Dash.
“Leave her alone!” barked Rainbow.
She then looked to see how hurt Fluttershy was.
“Fluttershy!” she cried, then glared at Timberjack. “How could you?”
Timberjack then bared her fangs, though she was barely able to stand. At that moment, Pinkie went to check Twilight and Rarity.
“Are you girls alright?” she asked.
“We’ve been better, darling,” spoke Rarity.
“Were you two able to get the bark?” queried Twilight.
“Yes indeedy!” Pinkie answered as she showed her the bark.
“Perfect!” replied Twilight. “DISCORD!”
Said draconequus appeared in front of them, while he was eating an apple.
“You called?”
“We were able to get the bark. Now what do we do?” she asked.
“Really? Well that was fast,” he spoke after taking another bite of his apple. “In any case will need to make an antidote.”
“And how do we do that?” questioned Pinkie.
Discord then snapped up a laboratory table with various vial filled with strange liquids. He then put on a lab coat and clear protective glasses.
“We’ll have to ground the bark into a powder. Once that’s done I can make it into a dart. You’ll just have to keep her busy for a few minutes.”
“What? Why didn’t you say we needed this earlier?!”
“Well you didn’t ask me that,” he said, as he summoned bowl and started to ground the bark. “Anyways, I should be done soon. Just keep her busy ‘til I do.”
“How’re we gonna–”
Rainbow then tackled Timberjack and pinned her to the ground. Timberjack then scratched her chest, caused Rainbow to loosen her grip. Timberjack then flipped Rainbow off of her and then started to run away.
“Girls stop her!” Discord shouted.
Pinkie and Rarity then chased after her. Pinkie was the first to block her path.
“Sorry Timbyjack. But we’re not letting escape.”
Timberjack then let out a primal roar to try and rattle Pinkie. When she saw Pinkie slightly flinch, she used that opening to spin tackle her into a tree. With Pinkie now out of the way, Timberjack made a break for the Town Square. Before she could reach it, Rarity teleported in front of her.
“Applejack…darling…please. I don’t want to hurt you,” warned Rarity as she charged up her horn.
With a low growl, Timberjack slowly backed away from her. As she was doing this, she heard Twilight teleport behind her.
“AJ please…we’re your friends,” Twilight said, as she stepped closer to her.
Timberjack was then backed into a corner, as she stood her ground at the base of a tree. With her defenses up, Timberjack began to swipe her claws to fend off the approaching mares.
“Discord, how that antidote coming?” asked Twilight.
She looked back the see that had just finished making the power and now was mixing various liquid to fill the dart.
“I almost have it done,” he said, while mixing the brew. “Just keep her busy a few more seconds.”
Twilight then turned her attention back to Timberjack. She let out a threatening bark as continued to swipe at them.
“Applejack please…let us help you…” pleaded Twilight.
She snarled in response while her gnashing her teeth. Rainbow then landed in front of her.
“AJ, snap out of it! This isn’t you!” Rainbow said.
As Timberjack surveyed the group, she tried to find a way to escape. With no other options, Timberjack then spin tackled Rainbow into Rarity and made a break for it.
“Discord! She's headed your way!” warned Twilight.
By then, Discord had finished the antidote and pour it into a metal dart. As she whisked past him he snapped up a wooden blowpipe and took aim. However, he didn’t immediately fire it at her.
“Discord, what’re you waiting on?” shouted Twilight.
“This will take precise aim, and I’ll only get one shot,” he explained.
As Timberjack seemed to be getting further and further away, Discord still withheld the shot. After a few seconds, he fired the dart. With great speed, it hit Timberjack directly in the left flank. With a pained howl, she slowly her pace ‘til she eventually fell to the ground. At that moment, Timberjack began to slowly transform back. Just then, the wooden parts of her started to crack and break off, her fangs began to recede to her normal teeth, and her eyes loss its lime green glow. Once back to normal Applejack lost consciousness.
“Applejack!” shouted the girls.
They all then rushed to her. When they saw she was unconscious, they breathed a sigh of relief.
“That was a little too close for comfort,” spoke Twilight.
“You can say that again,” chuckled Pinkie.
“So what do we do now?” asked Rainbow.
“Well, we first need to tend to their wounds. They both are banged up pretty bad,” said Rarity.
“Good idea, let’s take them to the palace. I have some healing potions that I got from Zecora that should fixed them right up,” stated Twilight, as she lifted Applejack onto her back with her magic.
“I’ll go and get Fluttershy,” Discord said, as he made his way over to the unconscious pegasus.
As she saw this, Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle.
“My, my…aren’t you being quite the gentleman, Dissy?” she teased.
“Not another word out of you, Pinkie,” he warned as he picked up Fluttershy.
“Okay, no need to be testy~” she responded.
That that he just huffed. They all then head to Twilight’s palace.
--------------------------------
The next morning, the two battle worn mares lay in the beds of the palace’s infirmary. As the sun’s rays grazed her face, Fluttershy began to stir from her slumber. As Fluttershy’s eyes fluttered open, she let out a groan.
“Ugh…what happened?”
When she tried to sit up, she felt her body was completely sore. When she was vertical she noticed she was in Twilight's palace infirmary.
‘How’d I get here? she wondered.
When she looked around, she saw that Discord was sitting in a chair next to her bed. He had fallen asleep and was laying on the edge of the bed. She couldn’t help but think how cute he looked and gently booped his nose, which caused him to stir. When he saw she was awake, a smile appeared on his face.
“Good morning, my dear,” he beamed.
“Good morning Discord. Um...what happened last night? And why am I in Twilight’s infirmary?” asked a confused Fluttershy.
“Well, it turns out Applejack was the timberwolf that we were looking for. You turned into Flutterbat and fought hoof to hoof with her. After the fight I carried you back here and tended to you wounds,” he explained.
“I did?”
“Yes, my dear. You put up quite a fight too.”
Fluttershy then blushed and looked down. She then noticed her body was bandaged.
“I guess it must’ve been some fight.”
“Yes, it was…”
When she heard the subtle sadness in his voice, she looked up to see a look of guilt on his face.
“Discord, what’s wrong?” she asked concerned.
He then looked away from her.
“I’m sorry, my dear,” he softly spoke.
“About what?”
He then looked into her eyes.
“For what I did? I know I was just trying to help you control your other half, but I shouldn’t forced you to do it. And you were hurt because of it,” he spoke. “Could you ever forgive me-”
His words stopped when he felt her wrap him in a tight embrace.
“Don’t be. I actually wanna thank you Discord,” she said while buried in his chest.
“T-Thank me?”
She then looked up at him with a sincere smile.
“You were only trying to help me with my problem. You’re really such a good friend to me....”
She then pulled him down and gave him quick a peck on the cheek. This caused him to furiously blush.
“Thank you, Discord…” she beamed.
He then fell over from her pure adorableness. The two then heard stifled giggles coming from the doorway. They turned to see the girls at the door watching their tender moment. This caused Fluttershy to hide behind her mane.
“Aw, that was so sweet~” sighed Pinkie.
She then ran over to them and wrapped them into a hug.
“I always knew you two would end up together,” she smiled.
“It’s not like that Pinkie,” stated Fluttershy with a small blush.
“We’re just good friends,” protested Discord with a blush. “That’s all.”
Pinkie then gave him a smug grin.
“Riiiiiiiight~” she teased with a quirked eyebrow.
Fluttershy and Discord looked at each with blushes on their faces and then looked away. This caused the girls to slightly giggle at the situation.
“How are you feeling, darling?” asked Rarity.
“I’m fine, just a bit sore is all,” answered Fluttershy.
“Well, that’s good. Zecora's healing potion we gave you and Applejack healed your wounds, but your bodies will still need time recover,” said Twilight.
“Applejack! Where is she?” asked Fluttershy.
They all point the bed next to her. She looked to see her friend bandaged up like she was. Applejack then fluttered her eyes open.
“What’s with all the racket?” she groaned.
As she sat up, she winced slightly as the toll of the previous night had caught up with.
“Ow, what in tarnation happened last night?” she asked.
“See for yourself,” Discord said. as he snapped up the film projector and screen.
“Do you film everything we do?” asked Twilight with an arched eyebrow.
“Yes I do. It’s mostly for my amusement,” he grinned.
He then showed the events of last night.
--------------------------------
After they finished watching the film, Discord made the projector and screen disappear. Applejack was left in a state of bewilderment.
“Ah...Ah really did all that?” she asked.
The others nodded in response.
“Fluttershy...Ah’m so sorry…”
“It’s okay, Applejack. You weren’t yourself,” replied Fluttershy.
“But Ah could’ve killed ya. Heck Ah could’ve done it to anyone of y’all.”
“But you didn’t,” Twilight chimed in. “The only times you really attacked was in self defense.”
“But Ah-”
“No, ‘buts’ darling. We’ve already forgiven you,” said Rarity. “Besides, you’ve already been cured of your timberwolf self.”
“But how can we be sure that Ah’m completely cured? We thought that of Fluttershy was, but she still can change into Flutterbat,” countered Applejack.
Twilight then tapped her chin.
“She has a good point,” Twilight agreed.
“Well, we can always keep a close eye on ya,” suggested Rainbow.
“Yeah, we’ll make sure to help you if you happened to turn into that mean ol’ Timberjack again,” Pinkie spoke with a confident tone.
Applejack couldn’t help but smile. It made her feel better to know that her friends were there to support her. She then hopped out of bed, and with a staggered walk made her way over to Fluttershy. Discord moved out of the way, as Applejack approached the bed.
“Ah’m real sorry sugarcube. Can ya ever forgive me?”
Fluttershy then booped her nose.
“Of course I do silly.”
In response, Applejack gave Fluttershy a tender hug. Fluttershy slightly winced from the strength of the hug.
“Ow, easy AJ. I’m still a bit sore.”
She quickly released the hug.
“Oh, sorry sugarcube.”
“That’s okay, Applejack.”
The two then shared in a laugh.
“Well, Ah best be gettin’ back home. Ah’m sure Big Mac and Applebloom are worried sick about me,” she chuckled.
“And I have to get back to my cottage. My animal friends are probably worried too.”
“Well, somepony should escort you guys. Just to make sure you make it home safely.”
“I’ll be taking dear Fluttershy home,” Discord stated.
He then snapped up a large basket with a soft pillow warm blanket. He placed her in it and wrapped her in the blanket. once he knew she was secured he levitated the basket in the air.
“Discord, you don’t to do this…” Fluttershy said.
“Nonsense my dear. I’m more than happy to take care of you,” he spoke with a bow.
This caused a blush to snake across her muzzle. Discord then saw Pinkie look at him with a cheeky grin.
“Aww...that’s so sweet,” she teased.
“Don't push it...” Discord warned
“Why? We all know that you love he-”
“One more word and I’ll be sure to send your mouth to another dimension,” he threatened.
“Hehe...I’ll just keep my mouth shut then,” gulped Pinkie.
“I thought you’d say that. Shall we be off my dear?”
“Yes…”nodded Fluttershy.
“Good. Tata girls~” Discord said, as the two disappeared.
“Let’s get you home, Applejack,” said Rarity.
“Yeah, Ah think gettin’ back home to the family will do me some good.”
The two then headed for the doorway. As Applejack passed her, Twilight thought she saw a small piece of wooden hide behind her ear.
“AJ wait!” called out Twilight.
“Huh? What is it?”
“Could you turn your head for a sec?”
“Uh sure, but why do ya-”
“I just thought I saw something.”
“Oh, okay then.”
Applejack complied with Twilight's request. When Applejack turned her head, Twilight didn’t see it anymore.
‘Must’ve been my imagination,’ Twilight thought.
“Did y'all see anything, Twi?” asked Applejack.
“No...I’m probably just seeing things.”
“Alright then, see ya later.”
“Right, take care,” Twilight smiled.
With that, Rarity and Applejack headed to Sweet Apple Acres.
--------------------------------
Later that night, on a secluded hillside that overlooked Ponyville, a cloaked figure was waiting the shadows. The figure then looked up at the moon.
“Hmm...he’s late…” the figure groaned.
At that moment, Discord appear behind the figure.
“You’re late Discord!” said the annoyed figure.
“My sincerest apologies. I had a prior engagement,” he spoke.
“So how'd the fight go? Tell me who won?” the figure asked.
Discord looked away with an annoyed frown.
“Timberjack...” he mumbled.
“I’m sorry what?” the figure asked.
“Timberjack...”
“One more time…”
“Ugh...Timberjack won.
“Hahaha! I was right!”
The figure flew around Discord in triumph. It threw off its cloak to reveal was a young female draconequus with a long white mane. It was no one than other his rival in chaos, Eris mistress of Chaos. She then whistled to call her pet. At that moment, they heard a beast approaching. With a few seconds the weretimberwolf came from behind the trees and leapt into her arms.
“Good job Timby! Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?
He then licked her and barked happily.
“Whatever, I could have won this bet,” huffed Discord.
“Aw come on, Dissy, don’t be a sore loser,” teased Eris.
“I was this close to winning too, but ...
“You didn't. And I, Eris mistress of chaos, am the grand champion!” she declared
She snapped up a big banner that says:
Eris is the monster champion!
At the moment a grand fireworks display then exploded behind her.
“You may have one this round. But give Fluttershy some time and she won’t lose the next time.”
“So you say,” she mocked. “You sure seem soft when it comes to that yellow mare.”
“I’m not soft!” he defended. “I’m just protective about our friendship.”
“Sure, your ‘friendship’,” she said with a wink.
“Whatever, Eris. What do you know about it?”
She then wrapped around him like a snake.
“Oh I know a lot of things, Dissy. But that’s for another time. Now, I believe you owe me something,” she said, holding out her talon.
He threw a small bag of bits towards her. As she looked at her newly acquired bits, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Discord. Good luck with your little marefriend. Tata~” she said as she disappeared.
With annoyed scowl, Discord sat at the base of tree and looked down at the town. As he did this, a scroll appeared in front of him.
“Hmm, what’s this?”
He then open the scroll and read the message.
if you wanna lose again just lemme know, I'll be up for another wager n_n -Eris
With fire in his eyes, he quickly ripped up the note.
