Sweet Apple Acres: Outskirts

It was morning as Fluttershy opened her eyes, feeling both dizzy and exhausted. As she shook her head, she noticed that she was lying in half-eaten pastries and apples. She gasped as she looked at her hoofs, which was covered in frosting and apple mush.

"Oh, Fluttershy," she said, "What's wrong with you?"

Ponyville: Twilight's Library

Applejack arrived at Twilight's house, knocking on the door. Twilight answered it, looking exhausted.

"Applejack?"

"Sorry fer coming so early, Twi, but we've got an emergency!"

Twilight's expression changed to shock. "What is it? What's the emergency?"

"My fridge has been raided and pilfered!"

Twilight's expression went from shock to serious. "Really? That's an emergency?"

"It is when it was a huge… something that did it! Probably the same big varmit that attacked Sugarcube Corner!"

"Speaking of which, I've been looking up on whatever it was that left that hoof-print".

"Then let's hear it!"

"But…"

"LOOK OUT BELOW!"

The two Ponies ducked as Rainbow Dash flew over them and crashed inside the Library.

"Heh heh!" laughed Rainbow Dash, getting up. "Sorry about that you two! Still working out a new trick".

"This is no time to play, Rainbow!" Applejack looked at her, "We've got a BIG problem here!"

"Really?" said Twilight.

"If you have seen that varmit, then you'd know!"

"Varmit?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Oh! You mean that creature that devoured everything from Sugarcube Corner?"

"Yep! It paid a visit to my kitchen last night and ate all of our sweet apple treats, including my entry to the Best Pastry Contest!"

"Then what are we waiting for?" said Rainbow Dash, "Let's go hunt it down!"

"Can't! Lost the varmit when it ran away! Like it just disappeared".

"Just like how Pinkie Pie and the Cakes said!"

"You guys…" began Twilight.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" The Ponies turn around to see Pinkie Pie and Rarity approaching them, along with Fluttershy behind them, looking both nervous and scared.

"You know that… thing that ate yer pastries, Pinkie?" asked Applejack. "The Varmit ate mine as well!"

Pinkie Pie gasped her Pinkie Pie Gasp. "You mean you didn't have any pastries or sweets for breakfast too? This is bad! We need cupcakes ASAP!"

"Really?" said Rarity. "Pastries so early in the day? Doesn't sound very…healthy".

"How can you say that? Me with no cupcakes for breakfast is like Rainbow Dash with no Dash!"

"What's that suppose to mean?" said Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy just looked as her friends argued, still unable to understand why she keeps waking up in different places with half-eaten pastries, and why her friends' pastries were eaten as well.

"ENOUGH!" Twilight lost her cool as she shouted to stop the argument. "Look, we won't be able to solve this mystery unless we know what we're dealing with!"

"And that's why I came here, Twi!" said Applejack.

"Haven't you figured out what we're dealing with already?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Uh…" stuttered Twilight.

One Moment Later….

"What do you mean by 'inconclusive'?" her friends, except Fluttershy, said simultaneously.

"I mean is, I couldn't match this hoofprint…" Twilight pointed to the purple mold. "Made of gelatin…"

"Grape gelatin!" smiled Pinkie Pie.

"Yeah… and well, I couldn't find anything. This is really baffling".

"Maybe you haven't searched in ALL the books, Twilight!"

The Ponies looked up to see Spike, Twilight's assistant purple and green scaled dragon. He held up a brown book, with a symbol that looked like a Jack-O-Lantern.

"What book is that?" said Twilight as Spike landed on her back. He showed her the cover. "'Legendary and Dangerous Creatures'? Spike, this is nothing more but superstitious mumbo jumbo!"

"But look at this!" Spike held the book open to a page with a mark that matched the gelatin mold. The Ponies gasped.

"It's a perfect match!" said Rainbow Dash.

"And that's the varmit alright!" said Applejack, pointing to the picture next to the hoofprint.

"Ew!" said Rarity, looking at the picture. "Just look at it! Obviously, this pony doesn't know how to take care of its mane!"

"Its not a pony," said Twilight, reading it, "Well, half-not".

"Huh?" Her friends gasped.

"Ahem. 'Were-Pony'".

"Were-Pony?" Her friends gasped again.

"Will you all mind? Ahem… Were-Pony. A creature that is half-pony, half-wolf…"

"Half-Pony?" asked Applejack.

"Half-Wolf?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"You two done?" asked Twilight. "It says 'A Were-Pony is created when a poor pony gets bitten by a wolf that has ingested anything sweet…'"

"Like apples?" asked Applejack.

"More like pastries," said Spike.

"Pastries?" said Fluttershy, her eyes becoming wide.

"Yeah," said Pinkie Pie, "You know, like cupcakes, cakes, or pies!"

"Pies?" Fluttershy's heartbeat beated fast as she remembered the incident with the wolf cub.

"Okay…" interrupted Twilight. "May I?" Her friends nodded. "Thank you. 'The poor pony who becomes bitten then undergoes a terrible transformation on moonlit nights. The pony grows twice its size, its body covered in greyish or brown fur, its hoofs growing claws, eyes glowing yellow to see in the dark, and sharp teeth to chow down anything it craves. Then, it becomes hungry for something sweet, mainly pastries and sugary treats".

"So, that varmit that attacked us was a Were-Pony?" asked Applejack. "Just how did it get here?"

"Didn't you listen?" said Rainbow Dash. "It's a pony by day, but at night it's a Were-Pony! Its gotta be a pony from around here!"

"That might explain the attack on Sugarcube Corner with no other Pony hearing it or seeing it," said Rarity. "And what unfortunate bad luck as well!"

"I'll say," said Pinkie Pie, "If a Were-Pony is craving sweets, then Sugarcube Corner is its main course!"

"Pinkie Pie," said Rainbow Dash, "It already ate all of Sugarcube Corners treats".

"But what about Pastry Night?" Pinkie Pie gasped, "That means…"

"The Were-Pony's going to have an all-it-can-eat buffet!" said Applejack.

"Girls, listen!" said Twilight. "There's no such thing! Just because it matches doesn't mean its true! It could be some Pony dressed up to make it seem like it's the real deal!"

"So, what are we going to do?" said Pinkie Pie, franctic. "The pastries are in trouble! We must do something!"

"Well… We could do a night watch and look for this… 'Were-Pony'".

"Oh, good idea, Twilight!"

"Yeah!" said Rainbow Dash, "A monster hunt!"

"Not a monster hunt," said Twilight, "A night watch! We're going to patrol the streets at night and keep an eye out for your so called 'Were-Pony'".

"Well, I don't know," said Rarity. "I rather get my beauty sleep in".

"Right," said Rainbow Dash, "And while you're sleeping, the Were-Pony could enter your home and eat your sweets!"

"Frankly, my dear, I'm not usually one to carry so many sweets on me".

"Well, then hopefully the Were-Pony won't eat your new dresses that you designed for Pastry Night".

Rarity's eyes grew wide. "You're right! That monstrousity could eat my new designs! Oh, very well, count me in!"

"Me too!" said Applejack.

"And me!" said Pinkie Pie.

"Alright, that seems to be everypony," said Twilight. "What about you, Fluttershy?"

Silence. The ponies looked around, but only saw Spike.

"Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy's Cottage

Fluttershy was hyperventilating into a paper bag, unable to keep herself from trembling with fear. All that she heard and what's been going on with her seemed to make sense to her now.

"I'm… a Were-Pony..?" she continued to breathe into the bag. "Can't be… can I?"

She turns to see Angel Bunny, still hiding from her from behind her couch. Fluttershy knew that it had to be true: the bite, the cravings for pastries, and waking up with half-eaten sweets. Fluttershy slowly went to her bed, while echoes of her friends kept going in her head.

Legendary and Dangerous Creatures…

Monstrosity…

Monster…

Were-Pony…

Monster Hunt!

Fluttershy couldn't help but begin to cry. She lied on her bed, unable to accept the truth that she has become a Were-Pony… a monster.

"Oh Angel…" she sobbed, "I've become a monster! No wonder why you and the animals are afraid!" She twisted and looked up at a photograph of her and her friends. "I don't want to be… *sniff* a danger to my friends… What can I do..?"

As she looked out the window, she knew what she had to do, but couldn't help but cry more.

"The only… thing a… a…" she sobbed more, "Monster like me… can do is… live in… the Everfree… Forest…"

Her crying continued as she fell asleep, tired from all the bad news.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Fluttershy woke up with a jump. She looked out the window and noticed that she slept through most of the day as the sun began to go down.

"Oh no!" she gasped. "It's almost sundown! I…I..!"

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Fluttershy!" came Twilight's voice from the doorway, knocking on the side. "Are you home? I'm sorry if I'm intruding, but… you don't seem to have a door anymore"

"Twilight? Uh… No… I mean-"

"Fluttershy? Are you okay?"

Fluttershy wiped away any tears from her eyes and grinned. "Yes, I am!"

"Well, good. Now get your flashlight and some supplies. We've got a nightwatch to conduct!"

"I…I don't know, Twilight… I might be more trouble than help tonight… or any other night…"

"Nonsense, Fluttershy! We need all the help we can get. Now…" Twilight's horn glows red as she brings out Fluttershy's bag and flashlight and puts it on her. "Let's get going".

"No!" said Fluttershy, before calming a bit, "I mean, I'm sorry… I can't…"

"Now, now," Twilight's horn glowed again as she picked up Fluttershy, who began to struggle to be let down. "After all this is wrapped up, you'll feel better, I promise".

"Its not me I'm worried about," said Fluttershy, her teeth slightly chattering as she began to shake a bit from fear.

Twilight's Library

The Mane 6 have gathered together, flashlights around their necks as they readied themselves for the night. One pony in particular was dressed in more ways than one.

"Pinkie Pie, darling," said Rarity, "What is that outfit you're wearing?"

Pinkie Pie was dressed in pink fatigues and pink helmet to match, along with make-up.

"Pinkie Pie?" asked Twilight.

"Sir! I am here to protect and serve Ponyville and all the innocent sweets and candies, sir!" chanted Pinkie Pie in a military manner.

"Pinkie Pie," said Rainbow Dash, "You are SO random!"

"Besides, Pinkie," said Twilight, "We're just patroling Ponyville, not joining the Royal Guards".

"Can't take that risk, Sir!" saluted Pinkie Pie.

"And stop calling me 'sir'!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Ugh!"

Rainbow Dash was laughing until she noticed something big and long behind Pinkie Pie.

"Uh, Pinkie Pie," she asked, "What is that?"

"Oh!" said Pinkie Pie, back to her usual voice, "That's something we may need tonight".

She unwraps the package to reveal a pink and magenta colored bazooka-type weapon. As she turned to Rainbow Dash, the weapon was aimed at Fluttershy, whose eyes grew wide as she ducked from it.

"Meet the C.S. Launcher!" said Pinkie Pie. "If we meet that mean ol' Were-Pony…"

"Pinkie!" said Twilight, moving the launcher away from Fluttershy, whose eyes seemed to dim with more fear after seeing the launcer. "Don't you think this is overexcessive?"

"Over-what?"

"As in 'Are you Crazy!'"

"No, I'm Pinkie Pie!"

Twilight put a hoof to her head and shook.

"Besides," said Rainbow Dash, "This may come useful as a last resort, right Twilight?"

"Oh…" muttered Fluttershy.

"Very well," said Twilight, Fluttershy shaking with fear, "BUT only as a VERY LAST RESORT! Got it?"

"Okie doki loki!" said Pinkie Pie.

"Good. Now, seems the sun has begun to set, so let's split up into groups of two. Rainbow Dash, you're with Pinkie Pie and patrol the east…"

"Delta Squad ready!" saluted Pinkie Pie.

"Okay… Applejack, you're with Rarity and patrol the west side of Ponyville".

"Can do!" said Applejack.

"At least the west side is where my boutique is," said Rarity, "I can keep an eye on it".

"And that leaves me and you, Fluttershy," said Twilight, but notices that Fluttershy was gone. "Fluttershy?"

They looked around for the yellow pegasus pony, whom Rainbow Dash found cowering in a barrel.

"Fluttershy, come on!" said Rainbow Dash, pushing the barrel down to Twilight.

"I don't know…" said Fluttershy, crawling out of the barrel.

"There's no need to be afraid, Fluttershy," said Twilight, "We're going to patrol the south, away from the Everfree forest area. Would that be okay?"

"I…I…"

"Good! Now, we'll rendezvous back here in two hours to see what we have found".

"Okay!" replied the ponies.

"Uh…no…mmmmm…" muttered Fluttershy, worried for Twilight's safety.

Ponyville: Night fall

Twilight and Fluttershy were investigating the residential area, where only a few ponies were still up and about. Fluttershy couldn't help but worry about what she could do to her friend. Suddenly, as Twilight opened her backpack to take out a book, she caught the smell of something… sweet.

"Huh?" Twilight caused a cookie to hover above her, smiling. "Looks like Spike gave me some of his triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla cream cookies! He's always looking out for me".

"Oh my…" said Fluttershy, unable to keep herself from drooling, "They smell…delicious!" Fluttershy quickly shook her head. "No! I mean, they're not delicious, they're..!"

"I understand, Fluttershy".

"You do?" said Fluttershy before a cookie got crammed into her mouth, the sweetness of freshly baked cookies with nuts and sweet vanilla sent warmth all through her.

"If you wanted a cookie, you could've just asked. Now, let's see what this book says about the 'Were-Pony'. Oh! Let's go over there! There's more light for me to read it under!"

As the ponies approached the lit street, Fluttershy began to feel… strange.

"Uh… Twilight..!" began Fluttershy, beginning to sweat and breath hard as the moonlight shone on Ponyville.

"Hold on, Fluttershy," said Twilight, looking at the book. "'The Were-Pony appears on moonlit nights, with each transformation quicker and longer the more the moon is full…'"

"You…" Fluttershy began to feel her body begin to shake as an irresistable urge to eat more sweets came over her, "don't…say… Twi.."

"Ahuh. 'The pony goes under a terrible transformation. First, it begins to pant hard and sweat as its body begins to warm up. Then, it shakes as the pony begins to grow…'"

Fluttershy noticed that she was beginning to grow taller, along with her mane and tail.

"Twilight!"

"Not now, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy began to feel herself go to black as all that came into her mind were cakes and pies and sweets.

"'Then, it begins to grow fur around the body…"

Fluttershy groaned as her body still grew, along with greyish fur sprouting from her. Her wings growing bigger as the feathers became covered in fur as well. Then, her body was too much that her backpack snapped off.

"…'Followed by the growth of fangs and claws…'"

Fluttershy closed her eyes, unable to take the pain as four claws sprouted from each of her hooves and her teeth becoming long and sharp, ready to devour. As she opened her eyes, gone was Fluttershy, and in her place was the beast.

"… 'And then, its eyes become yellow and the pony is no more. Only the beast remains as it becomes hungry for pastries and sweets'. Okay, so…" Twilight turns around. "What's on your mind… Flutter…shy..?

Twilight looked not into the face of her pegasus friend, but at a snarling, greyish furred pony looking down at her, its claws scrapping the floor. It opened its mouth at Twilight, drooling.

"Oh…my…!" stuttered Twilight, backing away, "What….b-b-big t-t-teeth you have..!"

The Were-Pony opened its mouth and lunged for Twilight, who only froze in fear as the beast landed on her, then the only thing she saw were its fangs as it went down for her.

"AAAHHHH!"