Fallen Eagle

Chapter VIII: The Camping Trip

Hey guys! Sorry for not updating in so long! I've gotten a new job at my local Home Depot and I have to give up working at the movie theatre. I am very sad I have to say goodbye to my movie theatre, I loved working there and I will miss the memories of the movies that played there. Anyhoo, after the fun of hanging out with Princess Luna and Applejack, Cougar is ready to take a little breather (that he and Applejack rightfully deserve) and go camping. And thanks to this chapter, the rating has changed to 'M' for violence, language and frightening situations.

And we've reached 31 followers, thank you guys SO much! I'm enjoying writing this story and I hope to never disappoint!

Let's get on with Chapter VIII shall we?

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(The next morning. Cougar's POV)

I didn't remember much of last night to be honest. The only thing I could remember was seeing Luna raise the moon and her dropping the regal masquerade and acting like a commoner without a care in the world, which was pretty damn cool. The first thing I felt in the morning was not the warm rays of Celestia's sunshine, but a few pairs of eyes piercing into my soul, that and a warm furriness cuddling me. I carefully and slowly opened one eye and looked over to see a confused Bloomin' Onion staring at me. "Mornin' Cougar," Applebloom greeted.

"Morning," I replied and went to rub my eyes but found my arm trapped. Looking down, I saw the easily recognizable orange fur of Applejack laying on my sleeping arm and cuddling up next to me.

"Did you 'n mah sister do somethin' last night?" Applebloom cocked her head sideways. Before I could answer, I heard an approaching voice heading our way, and my body froze when I found out who it belonged to.

"Applebloom!" Big Mac called, "didja find Applejack 'N that Cougar feller?" The giant red stallion called. Panicking, I tried in vain to get my arm out from under Applejack's sleeping body, but all I did was yank too hard and flipped her on top of me. 'Well, I'm dead,' I thought to myself. I cringed when I also saw a few empty cans of Marewaukee Brew scattered about the ground, one was mine, two were Luna's and I'm guessing the other two were AJ's. "There ya are," Big Mac said to Applebloom who turned around, "didja find-" the stallion started before laying his eyes on me.

"He-hey," I smiled and shifted Applejack's hatless head aside to where it was laying on my shoulder, "sleep well?" I asked Big Mac.

"Whut the TARTARUS am Ah lookin' at?!" The elder child of the Apple family bellowed, "WHUT are you doin' to mah sister?!" He demanded and stamped his way up to us. This finally awakened Applejack. She yawned and smacked her lips before realizing the compromising position myself and her were in.

"Woah there!" She scrambled up from me, kicking wildly and luckily missing my family jewels. "M-mornin' everypony, are ya ready to sell sum apples?" AJ asked and nervously put on her cowgirl hat. I stood up finally and shook my arm to get the blood back inside.

"Applejack, did he do anythin' to ya last night?" Big Mac eyed the empty beer cans on the grass. The orange mare shook her head wildy, having to hold onto her hat that threatened to fly off at any given moment.

"Whut could they have done Big Mac?" Applebloom asked her brother.

"Nuthin', yer too young to know 'bout that stuff, now go 'n git them apple carts loaded up," Big Mac growled at his little sister. Applebloom ignored Big Mac and stuck around for the end of the conversation. I adjusted my NASCAR cap and nervously rubbed the back of my head. Big Mac turned back to us and jabbed my chest with his hoof. "Answers, NOW," he demanded. I swear that steam was starting to escaped from both his nostrils and ears. I gulped, knowing that lying would be wrong, but I honestly didn't know.

"Maybe Applejack knows, because I can't remember anything very well from last night," I admitted, "but I didn't get drunk, sometimes I do forget what happens before I go to bed," I explained, "doesn't that happen to everypony sometimes?" I asked. Big Mac growled at me again and turned to his sister.

"Nuthin' big brother," Applejack replied, "all we did was have a few beers with Princess Luna and star gazed fer a bit. Ah guess after we fell asleep Ah rolled over into Cougar's body 'n we cuddled, but that's IT," Applejack explained. Big Mac grunted before turned around at both of us.

"Fine, but don't let me catch you two doin' anythin' yer not supposed to be doin'!" He yelled at us as he walked away.

"Fer yer information, Ah am 23 years old Big Mac; Ah can make whatever decisions Ah want to!" Applejack threatened. The red stallion ignored her and went about his saturday chores. I turned to Applejack who looked up at me.

"Sorry," was all I said to her. She slowly turned her head with a cocked eyebrow.

"Sorry fer whut Cougar? Ya didn't do anythin' wrong last night. Neither of us did," she told me. We both forgot that Bloomin' Onion was there, but her voice broke the awkward silence and arm/foreleg rubbing.

"Seriously, whut was Big Mac talkin' about?" The little yellow filly asked the both of us, "you two weren't kissin' were ya?" Applebloom asked us, not teasing, but seriously. I flailed my arms out and Applejack shook her head violently again.

"No, no no!" I exclaimed.

"Cougar 'n I aren't like that, we're just acquaintances!" Applejack went into defensive mode.

"Where'd you get an idea like that Bloomin' Onion?" I asked her. Of course I was nervous about this. I mean come on, a human and a pony? That's the kind of talk that'd get someone back on Earth thrown in the nut house! Applejack and I waited for Applebloom to give us an answer, which surprised us when she gave it out.

"Well, ta be honest, even though Big Mac can't be replaced, Ah think Cougar'd make a great brother, " the little yellow filly admitted. My hand went up to my ear and started scratching. Thankfully, Applejack stepped forward to speak with her little sister. I wouldn't have been able to find the words to respond to that statement.

"Look Applebloom, Ah know how great Cougar is, but we're jest friends, nothin' more. Besides, how d'you think everypony'd respond to that?" AJ questioned Applebloom. The read-maned filly sadly kicked the dirt below her. I almost felt bad for her.

"Well, a lot o' ponies support Spike tryin' to be with Rarity, 'n they're about as different 'o species as you can get," Applebloom sadly said. Now was the time for me to step in and fix this, but not ruin the friendship I had with the two.

"That's fine, but whose to say I can't be your surrogate brother? Applejack and I don't have to be a couple or get married, if you want to tell ponies I'm your surrogate brother, then that's fine with me; you're good little sister material," I ruffled her mane for her. A smile spread across her face which warmed up my heart. Applebloom started to hop around and prance.

"This is awesome! Ah gotta new big brother!" She started dancing around. Applejack breathed a sigh of relief and playfully rolled her eyes at her little sis.

"Ah guess that fixes that," she winked at me, "now, let's stop lolly gagging' 'n sell sum apples," she stated. Applebloom galloped away towards the cellar where the five barrels of apples were awaiting to be sold. AJ and I started to slowly walk in the same direction when the orange mare started talking to me. "You like Applebloom don't ya?" AJ asked. I put on my aviators and looked down at her.

"How could I not?" I replied and stuck my hands in my pockets. "She's adorable, smart, caring and funny, she's a great little sister," I explained, "that and I never had a little sibling," I admitted.

"Really? Well you woulda made a fantastic older brother," Applejack told me.

"Eh, I liked kids. My cousin had a little boy that always wanted me to hold him, even if his parents were in the same room," I said, "and when I set him down with someone else to go to the bathroom, he'd start fussing, it was cute," I finished. Applejack chuckled and we continued our journey to the apple cart. "Now Cougar, don't be discouraged if sum ponies don't want to talk talk to ya when we're sellin' apples alright?" She asked me.

"I'm more worried about costing you and your family your hard earned money than ponies ignoring me," I replied. We had finally reached the cellar where Applebloom had begun loading the cart full of barrels. "Here, let me help Bloomin' Onion," I offered.

---

(In Ponyville. Cougar's POV)

"Hello there sir, care fer sum down home fresh apples?" Applejack gestured towards her apples to a pony. The three of us had been trying to sell apples for about two hours now, and we had managed to sell about half a barrel, which Applejack said was not that bad.

"I'll take a bundle of 20," the light brown pony with blue horseshoes on his flank replied. He produced ten bits and exchanged them for the apples before he went on his way.

"Thank ya kindly Caramel, you take care now ya here?!" Applejack waved to the pony. "He used to be a farmhand," Applejack explained and pocketed the coinage from her transaction.

"How come he still isn't one?" I asked while shining a few of the apples. Applebloom meanwhile had been trying to get ponies to come in and buy apples by doing tricks with a hula hoop, but she called it a loop-di-hoop, I think.

"Well, he's a nice pony, but he's jest too forgetful," Applejack explained, "oh, you wanna take this one Cougar?" Applejack continued. I turned around to see an aquamarine unicorn with what appeared to be a heart shaped harp on her flank, and boy she looked familiar. I took off my sunglasses and placed them on my hat.

"Hi, can we interest you in some fresh and delicious apples?" I offered and held up a few specimen. The unicorn didn't say or do anything at all. She just kept staring at me with her golden eyes, like she was checking me out, so I decided to have a little fun with her. "See something you like girl?" I played around and took off my hat to slick my hair back. Behind me, I could hear Applejack attempting to suppress a chuckle.

The pony STILL didn't say or do anything and I was starting to get both annoyed and bored. "Alright, look do you want apples or not, we're very busy here," I said to her. She cocked her head from side to side and scrunching her face up. "Why don't you paint yourself a picture, I'm sure it'll last longer," I finally said. Before Applejack or myself could say anything else, the earth pony with a dark blue and pink mane came trotting up.

"There you are Lyra," she scolded, "don't you know how rude it is to stare at somepony, even if they're not a pony?" The earth pony scolded.

"S-sorry Bon Bon, he's just so interesting," Lyra replied with a gulp. So, her name is Lyra huh?

"I'm terribly sorry Mr. uh," Bon Bon had turned to me.

"Cougar, you can call me Cougar, no Mr. please, I hate formalities," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. Something was, off about these two. Bon Bon was scolding Lyra not like a friend or a sister, but something more.

"Sorry Cougar, Lyra can sometimes get lost for words and just stare at anypony," Bon Bon explained, "we'll buy the rest of that barrel of apples for your troubles," she produced fifty bits and handed them to me.

"Uh thanks," I said and placed the rest of the apples in Bon Bon's saddle bags.

"And you, come on we have more candy to sell," Bon Bon took Lyra away. That was a little weird for me. I pocketed the change into the front pouch of my apron and turned around to face a smiling Applejack.

"Well there cowboy, that was a nice job ya did," she patted me on the back, "Ah didn't know you were a looker fer sum ponies," she teased me.

"Oh please, she's obviously gay," I joked back, but didn't predict the response I got back. Applejack grinned at me and leaned against the cart.

"So? Lyra and Bon Bon are some of the nicest ponies around; sexual orientation shouldn't have to sway yer opinion," she explained and got off the cart. I turned to look back to where the pair had been standing only moments before and saw them arm in arm (so to speak), hugging on each other and laughing.

"I was just joking Applejack," I held my hands up, "but that kind of stuff doesn't bother me at all. Just as long as somepony isn't a self centered asshole, I won't have a problem with them," I explained. The emerald eyed mare snickered at me and took a bite out of one of her personal apples. "And you were screwing with me huh?" I flicked my aviators back down over my blue eyes.

"So, I see you met Lyra and Bon Bon?" I heard a posh voice ask me. Turning around, I found Rarity along with Spike and Sweetie Belle standing on either side of the older pony. "Lyra does make some beautiful music with that harp of hers and Bon Bon makes some of the most delicious sweets in town. I know I've been there multiple times for some chocolates," Rarity explained. Sweetie Belle and Spike set down the large stacks of material in the arms onto the ground and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hello Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Spike," I waved to them, "interested in any apples?" I offered. Sweetie Belle and Rarity politely waved the idea off, yet Spike simply crossed his arms and shook his head, not even making eye contact with me.

"Now now Spikey-Wikey, no need to be rude to Cougar," Rarity ruffled his head. For a brief moment, I could see Spike's tongue trying to escape his mouth, kind of like a dog.

"Whut brings you guys over here?" Applejack finally asked the trio, "come fer sum apples or didja come by to discuss the campin' trip later today?" Applejack questioned while putting up an 'ON BREAK' sign over the cart.

"Yes dearie," Rarity took Applejack aside. I could still hear them as they walked away from the cart for more privacy, "we just wanted to know what time we were going to meet up at the beginning of the trail," Rarity's voice faded over the noise of the street crowd.

"So, did you talk to Rarity at all yet Sweetie Belle?" I asked the little unicorn filly after taking a seat on an empty overturned barrel. By this time, Applebloom had put down her hula hoop and joined the party. Sweetie Belle looked down on the ground and pawed at it slowly, indicating a no.

"Sorry Cougar, it's really hard for me, I have stage fright," Sweetie Belle covered her eyes. I sighed and put my hand on her shoulder. She looked back up at me, trying to not cry.

"Okay, maybe I pushed you too hard; Rarity may not be the pony to talk to about this, but Fluttershy might be able to help you out," I said, "Applejack told me how she had, well still has, stage fright, but she's working her way up to larger and larger crowds. I think she can help you overcome stage fright Sweetie Belle," I explained. The little unicorn blinked away several tears before sighing sadly.

"I'm pathetic aren't I?" She asked quietly as a church mouse. I gasped at that statement. I slowly petted her mane down and scratched behind her ear.

"You are far from pathetic kid," I whispered, "I'll let you in on a little secret alright?" I asked. Sweetie Belle's ears perked up and she leaned in closer to hear me as she wiped her nose. "When I first joined the Air Force Academy and wanted to be a fighter pilot, the cadets had to fly a simulator of the jet of their choice, in front of everyone in the room. Including other cadets, trained pilots, majors, captains etcetera. And I was terrified about flying a simulator in front of a large group of people."

"Well, how did you overcome it?"

"I sucked in a deep breath and climbed into the simulator. The major in charge of training us switched it on and I pushed the thought of everyone watching into the back of my mind. It even helped that I hummed my favorite song while doing the simulator. Soon enough, I forgot that I was being watched and focused 100% on performing my task, which I did with the highest score in Academy history," I smiled at her.

"But if I'm up onstage singing, how can I hum my favorite song without screwing up?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"That may not work for you, but here is what I can suggest, just close your eyes, and don't think about anything but the song. Forget that ponies are watching you, just focus on the song and nothing else." The unicorn wiped her nose again and wrapped her forelegs around me. "Hehe, you're welcome Sweetie Belle," I returned the hug and stood up.

"Thanks Cougar," Sweetie Belle smiled at me.

"Why don't you just mind your own business?" Spike cut in. I looked up and over at him to see him with a scowl decorating his face and his arms crossing his scaly chest. Applebloom was none too pleased with Spike and stamped onto his foot. "OUCH!" Spike screamed in pain and grabbed his throbbing foot.

"Whut's yer problem Spike? Cougar's been nice to everypony 'n has helped us out at thu farm," Applebloom interrogated.

"He's too secretive and he won't tell us anything! He's definitely got something to hide and I won't trust him until he tells us what it is!" Spike retorted angrily. I rolled my eyes at the little dragon and bent down towards him. But rather than trying to intimidate him or yell in his face, I decided to tease him.

"Won't Rarity hate it that you're judging somepony too fast?" I asked him. Spike froze and let go of his throbbing foot that was starting to swell a little.

"You leave Rarity outta this," Spike growled at me.

"Ah, I see, you've got it sooooo bad for Rarity," I teased and bopped my finger on his nose, "I can help you get her, if you want," I offered the little purple dragon. Spike glowered at me even more and bared his tiny fangs.

"I can do that on my own, human, and what would you know about getting a girl? No girl around here is going to want you, you're too different," Spike retorted back. By this time, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were moving their heads back and forth as if they were watching a tennis match at Wimbledon.

"And there's the double standard mares and gentle colts," I raised my index finger, "you're different from Rarity too Spike, so why can a dragon have a pony, but no female will want me, a human?" I asked him. His face and arms fell at my conclusion.

"You win this round human, but I'll find out what you're hiding, you'll see!" Spike threatened.

"Ah hope y'all are done talkin' 'cause we've got a campin' trip to start," Applejack cut into our conversation. All of us stood up and smiled, even Spike.

"Yep, just talking to the little ones," I exclaimed and gave Bloomin' Onion a noogie.

"Well, we must begin packing, Sweetie Belle, would you please assist me? And Spikey-Wikey, be a dear and carry my bags," Rarity pouted her lower lip.

"O-of course m'lady," Spike bowed and gathered up every single bag and material Rarity had with her.

"We'll meet you and Rainbow Dash at the head of the trail in 2 hours!" Rarity called as she, her sister and the lovestruck dragon headed off to her boutique. Applejack had begun to close up shop while I gathered up a few Apples that fell out of the barrels.

"Does Rainbow know when to meet us?" I asked Applejack.

"I SURE DO!" Rainbow Dash called from a cloud in the sky. She was on her back, leaning over the edge and looking upside down at myself, Applejack and Applebloom.

"Were you spyin' on us again RD?" Applejack called back.

"No, I just happened to be taking a nap on this cloud and I overheard you talking to Rarity!" Rainbow Dash replied. "I'll make sure Scootaloo gets to the trail head on time too, see ya later!" Rainbow zoomed out of the cloud and disappeared. I packed up the last of the barrels and helped Applejack hook up to the cart.

"So, are we packing when we get back, or are you already packed?" I asked Applejack. The orange mare adjusted her cowgirl hat before setting off back to Sweet Apple Acres with Applebloom hitching a ride on the top of the cart.

"Ah already got most of the supplies ready, but Ah need to get the tents all packed up, ya don't mind havin' yer own tent do ya?" Applejack asked me. I chuckled a bit and bit into an apple.

"Of course not, it's actually safer for everypony," I replied. AJ's eyebrow cocked up to her mane line.

"Whut do ya mean Cougar? You've never shown any violence to anypony around here," she pointed out. I licked my lips, trying to figure out the best way to word my phrasing.

"Well, if something abruptly wakes me up in the middle of the night, like a sudden noise or something hits me, I've been trained to respond by hitting the nearest thing in case it's an enemy," I explained. "So if you or Applebloom were to roll into me hard enough in the middle of the night, I might accidentally hit you, and I don't want that to happen," I added.

"Oh, well Ah guess that is good, but can you control it?" Applejack asked as we left the town and began our journey to the farm.

"Sometimes, but I once accidentally punched my friend Reaper in the gut when he woke me up. I've been trying to control it ever since," I explained. Applejack nodded.

"Well, ya didn't hit me last night," she said.

"That's a sign I'm getting it under control, though I don't want to lose it entirely," I responded. "By the way, are there any wild animals we need to watch out for in the woods?" I asked.

"Mainly the bears, but Fluttershy told us that they usually won't bother us if we don't surprise them ya know?" Applejack said. "Anyhoo, let's get started on packing," Applejack exclaimed as we entered the farm.

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(2 Hours Later. Cougar's POV)

We had met up with Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo at the trail head, just waiting on Rarity and Sweetie Belle to join us. I utilized my duffel bag to pack my extra set of clothes, (I had left my helmet back in my shed since I didn't need it) some water and food. Before we had set off for the trail head, I had sat on my cot, holding my .44 pistol, contemplating on whether or not to bring. I hadn't told anypony about it, not even Applejack or Luna. The sole reason was because I didn't want to frighten them with my advanced weapon. Applejack almost caught me with it when she knocked on the door and I thrust it into my duffel bag, sandwiched between my spare set of jeans and my spare shirt.

I had fully decided to bring it along, one reason because if I took it out, Applejack would've seen it and probably demanded what it was, and another reason was because I don't know if I'll need it, but I won't just whip the gun out at any random noise. If the situation requires me to use it, then I will and explain later, but hopefully that won't happen. "Come on," I whined, "what is taking them so long?" I complained and sat up from a rock I was sitting on.

"That's what," Rainbow pointed her hoof to a towering cart full of suitcases and bags. I had to crane my neck back to see the top of it that eclipsed the tops of the trees surrounding us.

"Sorry we're late everypony!" Rarity called as she reached the top of the hill. "I just couldn't decide what would go with the color of the leaves and if I needed to bring my mane spray," she explained. I noticed that she trotted happily along with no cart behind her. Sweetie Belle reached the top of the hill with the cart behind her and collapsed from exhaustion.

"We..made...it," she breathed out and caught her breath.

"Jesus, did you pack a whole fucking hotel?" I asked Rarity whom had sunglasses and a sun hat adorning her head.

"Now now, no reason to reduce to vulgarity Cougar," Rarity sort of scolded me, "besides won't you look the fool when you won't have a comb to tame that unruly head of hair on your head?" She made fun of me. I took off my hat and slicked my hair back to it's original form. "Oh mock me all you want," Rarity stuck her nose in the air and joined up with the rest of the group.

"So, if we're all done yapping, we got some hiking to do!" Rainbow declared and hovered in the air. Scootaloo pulled out her scooter and put on her own helmet.

"Alright y'all! Jest follow me 'n Applebloom, we're goin' to thu same campsite we were at last time," Applejack announced. All seven of us began to set off until I realized Sweetie Belle was worn out from hauling the giant cart of miscellaneous shit Rarity packed. I stopped and unhooked her from the harness.

"Come on Sweetie Belle, you've hauled enough, why don't you rest on my shoulder?" I offered and placed her forelegs onto my right shoulder so she could hang on. I quickly hooked the straps around my waist and began to pull. The cart actually wasn't that heavy for me, but for a little filly like Sweetie Belle, it must've been like hauling Mt. McKinley.

"Thanks...Cougar," Sweetie Belle thanked me and clung tightly around my neck without strangling me.

"I'm getting a good workout at least," I managed to make her smile as I caught up with the rest of the group. I had to set my duffel bag on the cart since I couldn't haul it with a little unicorn clinging to me. "So Applejack, you said you went camping in this spot two years ago?" I asked the pony leading the expedition.

"Yep, it's not too far fer sum ponies who enjoy the outdoors," Applejack poked fun at Rarity who at the moment was filing one of her hooves as she walked.

"Anything interesting happen last time?" I asked further, enjoying talking to make the walk seem shorter.

"Interesting how?" Rainbow cut in. She had been floating above us, probably getting impatient at how slowly we were walking.

"Like did a wild animal attack you guys or something?" I asked them. All six ponies laughed at my question, making me look like a fool for asking such a question.

"Naw Cougar," Applejack finished chuckling, "the only wild animals anypony regularly fears 'round these parts are Timberwolves, though they mainly stay in the Everfree Forest," she explained, "in fact, Ah can't even recall any stories 'o them ever bein' spotted outside the Everfree forest," Applejack pondered momentarily. Before anyone else could say anything, we had come to a fork in the trail. "Aw dammit," Applejack swore, forgetting that Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were with the group, "Ah forgot mah map!" Applejack swatted at the ground.

"Now hold on, which way were we heading?" I asked the orange mare.

"We're supposed to be heading north, that leads us to the campsite we were at last time," Applejack replied. My eyes scanned the trees that bordered the trail around us. Off in the distance, I could hear the mighty roar of a river, hopefully teeming with trout or salmon.

"Head to the fork on the left," I pointed out. Rainbow and Applejack looked from me to the direction I had pointed in. The cyan pegasus crossed her forelegs across her chest and shook her head.

"And how could you possibly know that?" She demanded.

"Easy, when I was in the Boy Scouts, we learned that moss always grows on the north side of a tree, I'm hoping the same thing happens here," I explained. AJ smacked her head with her hoof in frustration.

"Now how could Ah have forgotten that? Thanks Cougar," Applejack thanked me. My eyes drifted upwards towards the blue sky above us, and noticed that the sun was starting to get lower and lower in the sky.

"We better hurry, it's going to be dark soon and I don't have my night vision visor on me," I exclaimed.

"Why the rush Mr. Military, afraid of the dark?" Rainbow teased me and hoof-bumped Scootaloo.

"As a matter of fact, yes," I bravely admitted. Bad experiences in the dark when I was a child made me fearful, but I hadn't faced the dark in a number of years, so my fear had been growing and growing for a number years. "Anyways," I continued as the journey had resumed, "why are ponies so afraid of the Everfree Forest?" I questioned, "did somepony disappear in there a long time ago and was never seen again?"

"Oh it's more than that," Rarity replied to me, her voice shaking. "Animals can care for themselves, without any assistance from anypony," she said fearfully.

"Not to mention, the clouds don't need pegasi to move them," Rainbow continued for Rarity, a slight drop in her voice indicated that she was a tad freaked out.

"And like Ah said, that's were the Timberwolves are. We only go in there to visit our zebra friend, Zecora, or to help fix up the Castle of the Two sisters," Applejack concluded with a gulp. I sneered at the mares and laughed at them.

"That's just like my world almost!" I blurted out, not realizing I had just revealed information I wanted to keep hidden. Applejack stopped abruptly, forcing me to stop so I would run into her.

"So, animals can tend for themselves without assistance from your kind?" Rarity asked me, "interesting," she added. Rainbow continued on upwards, more than likely trying to see if she could spot the campsite in the distance. I took this as a golden opportunity to keep them from asking about me.

"Anypony know any good songs to sing to make the trip shorter?" I asked. Sweetie Belle released her forelegs from my neck and sped to the front of the group as Rainbow Dash landed next to Applejack.

"I do, I do!" She declared and cleared her throat.

"Nice going Cougar," Scootaloo groaned along with everypony besides Sweetie Belle.

"NINETY-NINE BUCKETS OF OATS ON THE WALL..."

---

(At the Campsite, Cougar's POV)

"ZERO BUCKETS OF OATS ON THE WAAAAAAAAALLLLL!" Sweetie Belle finished before silencing herself and breathing in deeply. It wasn't the worst song I've ever heard, but at least it made the trip go by faster. Applejack finally declared it when we found our campsite. Thankfully, a stream leading into a river was literally five feet from the site, so I could possibly use the water to cool off. Hauling that massive fucking cart of Rarity's shit really made my sweat work overtime. Before we even started unpacking, Applejack started to give out orders.

"Alright, Rainbow 'n Scootaloo, you two are in charge 'o firewood," Applejack ordered. Rainbow and Scootaloo saluted AJ and headed off into the woods to find firewood. Applejack turned back to myself, Applebloom, Rarity and Sweetie Belle.

"Cougar, you 'n Rarity start unpacking everythin'," Applejack instructed. I nodded my head and started helping Rarity unpack everything from the cart and our bags. While working, I heard Applejack give out the last of the instructions to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.

"'N you two will help me with settin' up the tents, got it?" The orange mare asked.

"Sure thing sis!" Applebloom drug all the tent bags out and laid them out evenly. Sweetie Belle's little horn began glowing as the tents began to unravel themselves from the bags.

"Hold on, I do have my tent as well!" Rarity threw what appeared to be an inflatable raft on the ground and pulled the cord. Instantly, a TWO-STORY rubber tent had begun to inflate itself and rose to about fifteen feet high. "Ah, home sweet home," Rarity walked to the upstairs part of the tent and stood on the balcony. I turned to Applejack and shook my head.

"She can't be serious," I whispered. Applejack rolled her eyes and replied, "I still can't believe it either." Even though I knew Rarity wasn't really getting the camping experience, (a VASE for her tent?) I pushed that out of my mind and continued to unpack the cart of water, food, sleeping bags and lanterns. Soon enough, the cart was unpacked and I laid down on my sleeping bag.

"We're back!" Rainbow announced. She dropped several good sized logs on the ground and dropped about twelve rocks around the edge for the campfire ring. Scootaloo appeared from behind Rainbow on her scooter and skidded to a stop with a few other logs to be used as benches. By this time, the sky went from a calm baby blue to a brilliant pink and orange with only about twenty minutes of daylight left until Luna's moon would retake the sky. Applejack started up a fire with her sticks and string and Sweetie Belle came up with the marshmallows.

"Does everypony know their sleeping' arrangements?" AJ questioned us.

"Actually, whose Cougar gonna sleep with tonight?" Rainbow retorted.

"By myself, it seems appropriate," I replied quickly while getting up from my sleeping back and chucking it in my tent that AJ had lent me. I quickly regretted phrasing my explanation in that matter. Rainbow got a devilish grin on her face and rubbed her hooves together.

"Appropriate huh? Were you planning on getting 'closer' with one of us tonight?" She teased me and air quoted using her hooves. "Admit it, you want one of us don't you?" She tickled under my chin with one of her hooves. The crusaders gagged at the way Rainbow was teasing me, but Applejack was using her hooves to suppress a laugh while Rarity was giggling. I rolled my eyes and shoved Rainbow out of the way.

"In your dreams Dash," I tossed my hat into my tent, "besides, it seems like you're the one putting the moves on me, and how would Soarin' react if I told him you wanted me?" I folded my arms across my chest. The pegasus admitted defeat and sat back down with Scootaloo. Applejack began snickering which turned into a full out laugh fest at me and Rainbow.

"Yeah, that's a good one Rainbow, 'ol Cougar and one 'o us gettin' together, that's a good one!" She wiped a tear from her emerald eye. Applebloom growled in frustration and produced a bag of marshmallows and three sticks.

"If y'all are gonna keep jabberin' about mushy crap, then we're gonna have marshmallows ourselves!" She motioned towards Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. AJ set her cowgirl hat onto the log she was sitting on and patted her little sister's head.

"Alright there AB, we're done," Applejack said and grabbed herself a stick. Sweetie Belle roasted a marshmallow for Rarity and hoofed it to her. The littler unicorn then trotted inside Rarity's hotel tent and came back out with a cup of tea on a saucer.

"Oh come on!" I exclaimed, "can you forget about your fancy teas and fashions for one day and enjoy the great outdoors by roughing it like everypony else?" I complained to the pearl white unicorn. She pursed her lips in embarrassment and set the tea cup and saucer down on her stomach, darting her eyes around.

"I am not a savage Cougar, I do enjoy my cleanliness and hygiene; nature is just not my cup of tea," she added a punch line and sipped her beverage. I gave up and started roasting my marshmallow, getting it to a nice golden-brown before eating it. All seven of us sat in silence near the campfire, eating our marshmallows and just enjoying the quiet of the outdoors. And as Luna's moon once again conquered the night sky, an owl hooted in the distance, the roar of the river seemed to have quieted down some, allowing the nocturnal animals to have some peace as they awakened and ventured out for food. The fire crackled and popped as it devoured the wooden logs chosen for elimination.

Orange flames danced inside the ring of rocks as the light cast long shadows of the logs and all of our figures out to the tree line where they danced in different shapes. The embers of the fire drifted upwards towards the inky black and blue sky, never to be seen again. I recall from Native Alaskans that believed the embers represented souls that have passed on as they traveled to their next destination in the after-life. I unscrewed a water bottle and downed the cool and clear liquid, washing the sweetness of the marshmallow treats down my throat. Rainbow finally broke the silence with a belch.

"So, anypony know any good scary stories? I kinda want somepony else to take reigns tonight," she exclaimed and scratched her belly. Rarity's hoof went up into the air, though not wildly.

"I have one that'll scare anypony with any good fashion sense," she offered.

"If it's one where a pony forgets her makeup bag before a job interview, that's pathetic," I butted in. Rarity blushed in embarrassment and sipped the rest of her tea in silence. Rainbow chuckled and clapped her hooves together.

"Well, what about you Cougar? I'm sure you've heard plenty of scary stories from your world," Scootaloo asked me. I cracked my knuckles and looked upwards at the twinkling stars in the sky, thinking about the scariest story I've ever heard. An evil smile crept on my face as I thought about one of my favorite horror movie villains. Yet, before I could begin, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I turned, trying to use the light of the campfire to scan the tree line.

"Sumthin' the matter Cougar?" Applejack curiously asked me. I squinted, but nothing came across my line of vision.

"No, I just thought, something was spying on us, probably just a squirrel in a tree or something," I brushed it off, "anyways, do you guys have Halloween here?" I asked the group. All six ponies looked at each other before looking back at me.

"What the Tartarus is Halloween?" Rainbow asked me.

"It's a holiday where kids dress up in costumes and get free candy," I explained.

"That's Nightmare Night!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, "do you guys celebrate it to offer the candy so an evil ghost doesn't eat you?" She wondered aloud. My face scrunched in that of confusion.

"No, we EAT the free candy, that's how I always enjoyed Halloween before I joined the Air Force, then I used it to watch scary movies and buy candy at a discount."

"Well, anyway, get on with yer story," Bloomin' Onion crawled over to me and sat on my lap. I cleared my throat, hoping that this story would scare them.

"Listen up ponies, and I'll tell you the story of how Halloween is known as the scariest holiday of all-time," I began.

"Is this story true in any way Cougar?" Rarity questioned.

"Yes, and don't interrupt unless you're screaming," I warned. "Anyway, this all happened about 35 years before I was even born in a little town called Haddonfield, Illinois..."

*One Story Later*

"And Dr. Loomis grabbed his own knife from the downstairs kitchen, knowing that the evil Michael Myers was upstairs. He quickly, yet silently crept up the stairs only to find the teenage girl being strangled by the evil man," I picked up a sharpened rock and held it like a knife. The little fillies were cowering with each other against their respective sisters. Rarity was covering her eyes while Applejack nervously ate marshmallows. Rainbow's pupils shrank to a tiny size and darted around her eyes. "Risking his own life, the good Dr. Loomis ran up and stabbed the evil shape in the neck, drawing blood, and making the man growl in pain. Dr. Loomis then rammed the knife into Myers' chest and pushed him as hard as he could over the outside balcony railing where the man fell onto the ground with a loud thud, the knife still sticking into his chest with blood dripping out, " I dropped the rock to symbolize the body hitting the ground.

"Th-then w-w-whut happened?" Bloomin' Onion chewed on her hoof.

"Oh Dr. Loomis took a good look at Michael's body before going to check on Laurie. She asked him 'Was that the boogeyman?' To which Dr. Loomis replied, 'As a matter of fact, yes.' He then went back to check on the body as police sirens began to grow louder and louder, but when he looked over the railing, the body was, GONE!" I yelled, scaring the shit out of all the ponies there.

"AHHHHHH!" They all screamed.

"What happened to Michael after that?" Scootaloo peered from behind Rainbow.

"Oh, eye witnesses report seeing him living his old abandoned child hood home, while others say he did get up from the ground, but he died in the woods somewhere. I think he's still out there, waiting for the right time to kill Laurie," I explained.

"Don't worry Sweetie Belle, I won't let anything happen to you," Rarity patted Sweetie Belle's head.

"Ah think it's time fer sum shut eye," Applejack yawned and pried Applebloom from the log. Rainbow, still visibly shaking, flapped her wings and held onto Scootaloo.

"We'll just uh turn in okay?" She said and zoomed into her tent.

"I'll take care of the fire," I volunteered and kicked dirt onto the fire, knowing that smothering it was safer than pouring water on it.

"Good night Cougar," Applejack called as she entered her tent, leaving me alone near the fire ring. I let out a good yawn before heading for my tent. But, that feeling of being watched still lingered on the back of my neck. I checked out the tree line one more time before turning in for the night. Before I went to sleep, I opened up my duffel bag and set my combat knife and pistol on top of the pile of clothes, just in case. I prayed that Luna would keep a close eye on us tonight, unless her royal nightly duties prevented her from watching over us.

---

I was sleeping soundly in my tent when something happened. My eyes shot open as the most wretched, disgusting, foul and pungent odor I've ever smelled in my entire life raped my nostrils. I sat up and covered my nose, attempting to keep my dinner down. "What the fuck is that smell?" I whispered to myself. I wished an animal would crawl into my tent and die just to mask the odor. Slowly, I kept pinching my nose shut and unzipped the front flap of my tent. My heart froze when in the light of Luna's moon, I saw the silhouette of a wolf. With my breathing in check, I spied on the wolf as it scrounged around the perimeter of the campsite, evidently looking for food. Suddenly, the wolf ceased movement and started to head for Rarity's hotel tent!

"Oh fuck, she'll never be able to fight that wolf," I whispered to myself and picked up a nearby rock, chucking it off to the side of the camp. Thankfully, the wolf turned tail and ran after the noise. Wasting zero time, I quickly burst from my tent and tried to get Applejack's attention from her tent. "Psst, AJ, wake up, now!" I whispered loudly. When I got no answer, I had no choice but to unzip the flap and pour water on her.

"GAH! WHUT IN TARNATION!" Applejack yelled as Applebloom squealed from the coldness of the water.

"SHH, SHH, SHH!" I shushed while the two southern farm girls, the two athletic pegasi and two fancy unicorns emerged from their tents. Rainbow yawned and stretched her forelegs.

"What's going on? It's like two in the morning," she yawned again and tried to stay awake.

"Cougar, this had better be good, or yer gonna be sleepin' with mah horseshoe up yer ass," AJ growled at me.

"Guys, we've gotta get outta here, now," I replied, "I saw a wolf scrounging around the camp, and it smelled awful," I explained. From the silvery light of the moon, I saw the color drain from all the faces of the ponies.

"What?!" Rarity exclaimed, "but Applejack, I thought you said Timberwolves don't leave the Everfree Forest!" She exclaimed in a frightened tone.

"Ah never said that, Ah said that no pony has ever seen one outside of the Forest, but that's not important, if Cougar saw one, then we need to quickly pack up and leave!" Applejack ordered. Without missing a beat, all of us packed up the tents and our bags as fast as possible, all while not saying anything.

"Alright, is that everything?" Rainbow asked.

"Should be," I replied, "now, let's just stay quiet, Applejack, you and me will head the group, Rarity will stay in the middle and Rainbow you cover the back while the little ones stay in between us," I ordered and pulled out my combat knife. Everypony did as I said and grouped up. We headed off back down the trail from where we came from. I had all of my senses on high alert, knowing how dangerous and unpredictable an Alaskan Timberwolf could be. We didn't get far when, it happened. A loud howl from somewhere in the trees made us all stop dead. "There's that smell again, what is that?" I demanded.

"Their breath," Applejack said quietly.

"ROAR!" A Wolf leapt from the shadows and charged at our group.

"HIT THE DIRT!" I shouted and yanked down Applejack and Applebloom down with me. Rarity transported herself and Sweetie Belle out of the way while Rainbow yanked Scootaloo into the air. The Timberwolf crouched down and stared all of us down. It's green eyes glowed brightly as a lantern as it licked its wooden chops. Drool dripped from its fangs like water from a stalactite in a cave. It raised its paw and tried to swipe down at Applebloom, but Applejack bucked its paw out of the way.

"RARITY, GET THU FILLIES 'N YERSELF OUTTA HERE NOW!" Applejack exclaimed as the Wolf tried to swipe down at her, but my knife cut into the wood on its paw. The wolf howled in pain and it dropped to the ground. Without second guessing, Rarity gathered up Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom and prepared to teleport out when a second wolf appeared. It roared just as loudly as the first wolf and attempted to attack us. Rainbow utilized her speed and smashed into the side of the wolf, knocking it to the ground.

"Come on you overgrown shrubs!" Rainbow dared. The two wolves stood up and leapt at all of us. I tried to shove Rainbow out of the way, but I didn't make it. The first wolf swiped at the Cyan pegasus, making contact with her right side wing. "AHHH!" Rainbow cried in pain as her wing bent out of shape and started leaking blood.

"Rarity, take Rainbow with you!" I ordered her while I jumped on top of the wolf and slammed my knife onto its back. The wooden animal screeched in pain and attempted to throw me off its back. Rarity charged up her magic and transported herself, the fillies and Rainbow Dash out of the woods and back home. I jumped off the back of the wolf and met back up with Applejack. "How do we kill these fuckers?" I asked, "they keep repairing themselves," I mentioned.

"Ah don't really know how, we just smash up 'till they take forever to fix themselves 'n then we run," Applejack frantically explained. The deep gash I put into the back of the wolf sealed back up and the animal glared angrily at me with its green eyes. The second wolf had fixed the dent Rainbow had put in it and joined up with the other wolf. I gritted my teeth and raised my combat knife once again.

The wolves started to slowly stalk Applejack and myself, forcing us to back up. Unfortunately, the stream next to the campsite was growing closer and closer. "Stay behind me Applejack," I told my friend. I used my left arm to shield Applejack should I need to. Suddenly, the wolves made their attack. They split and tried to come at us from the sides. I kept Applejack behind me as I sliced as fast as I could with my knife, cutting up splinters from their bodies. I found myself overpowered while I shoved Applejack away. One wolf knocked my knife out of my hand and pinned me to the dirt, it's mouth dripping as it eyed me for a midnight snack.

"COUGAR!" Applejack exclaimed and leapt between me and the wolf pinning me down. "GET OFF MAH FRIEND YOU BRUTE!" She screamed and bucked as hard as she could on the wolf's lower jaw, dislocating it from the head.

"Watch out!" I shouted as the second wolf reappeared and bit hard into Applejack's right rear leg. I could see blood being drawn from the wound on her leg. I hoped that the wound wouldn't be long lasting, she was a vital part of Sweet Apple Acres. "NO!" I reached for my knife and stabbed the wolf that bit Applejack straight in the head, drawing what appeared to be tree sap from inside. The wolf howled in pain and let go of my friend whom slumped to the ground from the pain. I dropped my knife and reached up with my hands and started to strangle the wolf's neck. It's forelegs began to flail around, trying to gain oxygen into it's lungs. Using this opportunity, I kicked with my legs as hard as I could into its stomach, forcing it off me and onto its back. I scooped up Applejack and ran for my duffel bag as the wolves gathered themselves back up.

"Whut-whut're you doin'?" AJ asked me as I reached into the bag and pulled out my .44 revolver.

"This may come in handy," I responded and took cover in the trees near the banks of the river. The wolves were pissed off now as they growled and nipped at each other, appearing to place blame on one another. While I had the time, I set Applejack down and ripped off my shirt.

"Whut now?" Applejack weakly said. Great, that wound is worse than I thought. Who knows if it's already infected? I used my knife to cut my shirt into a smaller section and wrapped it tightly around her leg. She seethed in pain and clenched her teeth as I knotted the fabric.

"We're gonna get out of this," I promised Applejack and picked up my pistol again. Just then, the wolves burst into the brush and roared at us. Acting on instinct, I pointed my pistol forward and fired at one of the wolves' faces. A large hole appeared in between its eyes where I shot it. Gallons of tree sap began to pour from the wound and the wolf collapsed to the ground. The other wolf roared for its fallen comrade.

"Ah think ya made it madder," Applejack fearfully said. Stomping wooden paws started coming towards us. I raised my pistol again, but the wolf swatted it away rather quickly.

"NO!" I shouted as my gun fell downwards into the raging river from the force of the slap. "HANG ON!" I declared and held onto Applejack as I fell backward to get away from the dangerous animal. The next thing I knew, I was freezing cold and unable to breath. I gasped for air when I floated back to the surface of the white water rapids. I thrust Applejack's head above the water so she could get air to her lungs. "You okay?" I asked her over the roar of the river.

"Jest freezin' is all," she replied. I tried to hold her above me so she wouldn't be rammed into any rocks that the river was raging towards.

"I think we're safe, at least until we make it to dry land and find some help," I commented, trying to catch my breath. I was freezing as well, the water was dropping my body temperature at an alarming rate, but I had to stay alive to keep my friend safe.

"COUGAR, BEHIND US!" Applejack screamed over the river. I turned around to see the last Timberwolf clawing its way through the water trying to get to us. Placing AJ on my back, I started to try to paddle as fast as I could to get away from the ravenous wolf. However, I had no clue whether or not it was still hungry, or trying to avenge the other wolf. I began to use the sharp rocks to my advantage as cover while the wolf was in hot pursuit. Unfortunately, the wolf was able to maneuver around the rocks as fast as I could. "GIT BACK YOU MOTHERBUCKER!" Applejack shouted and tried to use her good rear leg to kick at the wolf's face.

"Oh sweet Jesus," I said as we rounded a bend. My energy was starting to drain as the blood in my body began to slowly leave my limbs to protect my vital organs. With the speed of the river, I had no clue how far we had traveled, but we were nearing PonyVille by the sights of the lights. "OH THANK GOD!" I exclaimed as I saw a low hanging branch crossing the river up ahead. It was connected to an oak tree that was sitting about on the edge of the river bank, but I could also see the tops of a house behind the tree. "Applejack, do not let go!" I ordered her. I felt her forelegs tighten around my torso as I brought out my knife again and stabbed the branch of the tree. I hung onto it as the river tried to sweep us further downstream.

"ROAR!" The wolf seized the opportunity and clawed at my legs. I screamed in pain as I felt the frigid water enter the cuts on my leg. With the last of my strength, I started to use the knife as a pick to latch onto the brach and pull myself and Applejack up the branch. Ever so slowly, I crawled up the branch towards the river bank with the wolf clinging to the branch as well. Suddenly, I heard the branch creaking from the excess weight.

"Hurry up!" Applejack tried to get me to move faster as the wolf approached. I started crawling faster and faster, eventually losing my knife when I missed the branch and it fell into the water, joining my pistol. We were SO close, but I wasn't giving up soon. Looking behind me, I saw the paw of the Timberwolf coming straight at us. I picked Applejack off my back and tossed her up onto the bank. "JUMP!" She shouted at me as the Wolf hit me in the side of the head, opening up a wound on my forehead and cutting my lip. With the last of my energy, I leapt off the branch and grabbed ahold of Applejack's hoof. She yanked me onto the river bank as the wolf leapt at us.

"RUN!" I told Applejack as the Wolf landed on the bank, baring it's fangs and drool at us.

"Ah'm not leavin' ya ta die!" Applejack retorted. The wolf charged at us, but I charged at it. We met together and began to fight. I started trying to jab it in the eyes with my fingers while it bit into my exposed shoulder. I groaned as the bite hurt more than anything in my life. Using my fingers, I jabbed my index finger into it's left eye socket, pushing in as hard as I could. The bright green liquid beneath the surface of the eye began to gush out as I popped the eye like a paint ball. I bared my own teeth and dug around it's eye socket. The wolf released my shoulder and howled in agony. I wiped the bright green goo on my pants leg and screamed at it. Picking up a rock near the bank, I smashed into its other eye, blinding it fully.

With another breath, I used the rock to jam into it's chest where tree sap poured out like a waterfall, cascading its stickiness onto my hand. Dropping the rock, I grabbed the Wolf's heart and ripped it from it's chest cavity. Clenching my teeth, I squeezed the tree sap heart until it burst like a fruit gusher. The now dead wolf fell back and into the river, breaking apart from the rocks.

My labored breathing ceased, leaving me in silence. Applejack cautiously approached me, unsure of what to think of me. But, before she could say anything, I reached deep down and found my inner predator, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I bellowed out like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator, declaring my victory with a barbaric war cry. Finally, my knees gave out as I stopped my cry that echoed all throughout Equestria. The adrenaline from the fight began to wear off and the pain from my wounds started to come forward.

"Cougar, are ya okay?" Applejack asked me with worry.

"I-I think so," I wheezed out. "Is shelter close by? Neither of us can make it very far," I exclaimed.

"Ah know, we're in the Everfree forest now thanks to that river; we'd better hurry 'cause more wolves'll show up, but luckily the Castle 'o the two sisters is close by," Applejack helped me up. I picked her up like a puppy and carried her with my leg limping and my shoulder throbbing. My face felt warm with all the blood trickling down it. I don't know how far I had walked, but Applejack told me stop at an old abandoned castle. "There it is, jest walk in, thu door ain't locked up," she informed me. Despite the burning pain, I forged on and got inside the castle. A large foyer with tapestries and a huge fireplace met my gaze. I briskly walked to the fireplace and set Applejack down on the rug.

"I don't have any matches or a lighter," I said after patting myself.

"Use them logs in the fire place," Applejack told me. I'd only used sticks, not logs, to start a fire, but beggars can't be choosers in this case. I picked up one log and started to rub it as fast as I could until a tiny spark leapt out and engulfed the fire place. The soothing warmth of the flames felt good against my goose bump and blood covered skin. I pulled a stone block up to my back and sat against it as the fire in the fireplace roared on. I looked over to see Applejack curled up by herself on the other side of the rug.

"Hey, come here," I patted the floor next to me. The orange mare's ear pricked up and she turned her head over to me. "We better share body heat with the fire to get our temperatures back up," I explained. Weakly and with her bad leg, she limped her way over and collapsed next to me. She snuggled up to my leg and placed her head in my lap, like my dog used to do.

"Thanks fer savin' mah life Cougar," she thanked me and went to sleep rather quickly. Her soft breathing made me feel better, knowing that she was safe. Acting on instinct, my hand laid across her head and softly stroked her golden blonde mane. I had just realized that she lost her hat in the chase, but I chuckled, knowing that was the least of her problems. I also realized that we wouldn't have the strength to look for help until morning, so I forced myself to stay awake all night long, making sure nothing would attack me or my friend.

End Chapter VIII

---

Holy crap guys, holy crap. This is a milestone for me, I've NEVER written a chapter or even a one shot story this long in my entire FanFiction career. So, now that they've been through this ordeal, will Cougar and Applejack remain friends, or do you guys think a spark has occurred? Tune in next Chapter where help arrives and Cougar meets another friend of the group who loves to have fun at other's expense.