Fluttershy's first destination was Cloudsdale's expansive library. She vaguely recalled Rainbow herself having to come here to get some of the literature that Twilight had requested, so perhaps there may be more she could find. Fluttershy made her way through the towering shelves of books, articles, slides, and film but to no avail; she simply found the same stale story. Nothing controversial, nothing contradictory.

“You having trouble finding something?” The voice startled Fkuttershy. She turned to see it was just the librarian, an old mare, who looked a good deal like the Mayor of Ponyville. She trotted over to Fluttershy who currently was in the “Historical Reference and Data Compilation” section.

Fluttershy fidgeted some, she was certainly nervous; her request god pique the librarians' suspicions and she could be hauled off to a cage, she had to try though, for her friends if anypony else.

“Uhm...well, no I'm afraid not.” She began, “I-I'm looking for some books on the Discordian period.”

The librarian smiled warmly, “Oh well you are certainly in the right place!”  She thrust her tired, wrinkled wings and ascended to a high point of the shelf and fetched a hefty, aged book which resembled more of an encyclopedia than a simple non-fiction piece, but if this is what it took than so be it.

“Oh why thank you.” Fluttershy responded kindly, trembling as she skimmed the pages. Much to her dismay it was a “Canterlot Authorized” edition. Like all of the others. She figured she'd have to be a bit more specific—though she had hoped she didn't.

“I'm so very sorry but—you see, I'm looking for a different version of this story.”

“Whar-ever do you mean? This is the only version of the--” The librarian realized what she meant. She glanced around to see if anypony else was around. The silence at this moment sent a sharp chill down Fluttershy's spine. Much to her relief, the librarian smiled again, a twinkle in her eye.

“I think we have what you're looking for; though some librarian in Ponyville had checked-out quite a few a few weeks ago, we may have some materials available. Right this way.”

The mention of Twilight worried her and failed to curb the chilling feeling or dread that lapped through her body. The two mares made their way past a re-enforced door that lead to what appeared to be a much older section of the library. As opposed to the marble, granite, and modern fixtures that defined the main library, this one had narrow wood-paneled corridors, dimly lit by old lamps that hung on the sides of the walls. A green, artful yet dark carpet sat at the base of this hallway.

“We keep conspiracy theories, much more fragile texts and...well....age-restricted material back here.” The librarian explained as they made their way back into a room. This one with a plain white wall which appeared to simply be painted drywall with a black plastic trim on the bottom. This room had no internal lighting sans a small, square frosted window on the side lined with a old wooden pane.

The librarian opened a large drawer that sat at the end, a large row of manilla folders with mult-colored tabs were crammed inside and seemed too tall to come out without bending through the hole in the drawer. It took but a few minutes for the librarian to pull from this crammed mess another hefty volume, this one in much better condition than the one they saw before, the binding look pristine and the cover, despite the age, looked to be in mint condition; sans a decent layer of dust.

Fluttershy followed the librarian to another, smaller room next door. It was of the same wooden paneling as the hall and had a smaller window, resembling a privacy window. The door to the room had a small window as well and a padlock. A small green office lamp with a bronze base sat in the middle. The librarian pulled the chain to turn the lamp on and placed the book on the table. She turned to Fluttershy with the same smile as before.

“Take as much time as you need. I'll come check on you—well more the book than anything,” she laughed, “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thank you very much.” Fluttershy stumbled as she sat in the chair under the table.

“Not a problem at all.” The librarian sang as she entered the hall to return to the main room, “It's nice to see this old partition get some use these days.”

With that the door closed and Fluttershy was all alone. Now all that could be heard was a small buzzing sound from the lamp before her. She sat there for a moment, simply staring at the book. She was nervous, this seemed a tad too easy. Fluttershy figured it best not to dwell any further and get to reading. She blew off some excess dust, took some paper and a quill that also sat on the desk and began her research.

It was Scootaloo's turn to be the early riser. She had pondered getting back at Apple Bloom for breaking her sleep the day before but given what went down the night previous she didn't want a fight—at least not when she was groggy and tired.

To her pleasure however, she had managed to stir her alleged protector—Sweetie Belle—awake. Scootaloo had been wrapped in Sweetie's hooves, the unicorns' chin resting on Scootaloo's mane. Had it been any other pony this would have been too close for comfort though, this was different for some reason.

They didn't have feelings for each-other in the romantic sense, though that initially awkward and displacing mother-daughter like bond seemed to persist. They each found safety in one another and thus, they had decided to sleep together “To keep warm.” as Scootaloo had sold it to Rarity who seemed a bit confused by the whole thing.

Regardless both were stumbling out into the clearing, their faces resembled more of zombies than the fillies they were. Their eyes were blood-shot, their faces were emotionless, and they were just plain tired, sore, and hungry—again.

“Why'd you have to get up so early Scoots?” Sweetie Belle complained, stretching her hooves, a popping sound relieved some tense joints.

“I was just--” Scootaloo let out a massive yawn, “Ready to get up I guess. You can go back to bed if you want.”

“No sense in doing that.” Sweetie said dryly, “You'll just wake me up anyway.”

They sat for awhile, letting themselves adjust to the daylight.

“I guess we should go into the forest and get some food for everypony.” Scootaloo groaned. “I don't know about you but I'm starving.” She placed a hoof on her stomach as if that would silence its relentless rumbling.

“No need to worry girls, I already have something planned.”  The two fillies whirled around to see Rarity had woken up as well.

Sweetie's ears flattened as she feared the worst, “Sorry sis, we didn't mean to wake you up. Maybe if Scootaloo learned how to sleep like every other pony I'd still be warm and comfy.” She shot a stern glance at Scootaloo who retreated a few paces, ears now flat as well.

“I said I was sorry.” Scootaloo mumbled.

“Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo you're both fine. I couldn't sleep all night.” Rarity began, “It was simply awful. A lady needs her beauty sleep and I got—none. I always had the fear that some monster was going to discover some ragged ponies were squatting in his cave.”

“Speaking of monsters...” Scootaloo mused, “We haven't really seen any. So much for the Everfree forest huh?”

“Now Scootaloo, this technically is not the Everfree Forest.” Rarity began, “This is simply vast woodland east of Ponyville....to be honest I haven't the slightest idea to what it is properly called.”

“So why are we out here? I thought we were going to Canterlot?” Sweetie Belle found herself a little confused.

“Twilight says this is the only way we can enter the capital undetected.” Rarity wasn't to sure but this was likely good enough to tide the fillies over until they got a real answer. “We apparently will be stopping in Dodge City prior to our trek to Foal Mountain.”

Sweetie Belle panicked, “But don't all the ponies in Equestria know what we did?”

“Won't we get caught?” Scootaloo added.

“Not likely.” Rarity said assuringly, “It was only Twilight who was effectively banished from Ponyville--”

“Then why the hay are we here?” Scootaloo burst, a bit annoyed.

“Because we support our friends Scootaloo.” Rarity replied.

“Yeah well...that's not fair!” Sweetie Belle complained, equally annoyed. “Why did we have to leave because of Twilight's mistake?”

Rarity knew the answer but she wasn't too sure if she wanted to come clean, “We'll discuss this later. I need to get breakfast in order. You two calm down and go play.”

Scoots and Sweetie looked at their barren surroundings. Empty grass and dirt, with towering forst surrounding them.

“Go play what?” Scootaloo asked.

“..I don't know something other than bothering me. I am busy.” Rarity demanded.

The two fillies chose to head on into the forest. There were no monsters supposedly so what's the danger? They could make a little game out of it as well. They decided to drag Apple Bloom with them.

“Ah don't see why we have ta go to the forest, we're 'sposed ta stay in the cave.” Apple Bloom complained.

“Oh stop being such a foal.” Scootaloo groaned. “Rarity's in a rotten mood and there's nothing fun to do anyway.”

“Besides,” Sweetie Belle added, “Maybe we can find some tasty brttird to help my sister!” She was excited now. Maybe helping Rarity would get her to talk.

“Ahm not sure 'bout this girls, seems awful dangerous.” Apple Bloom continued.

“Since when are you one to be all scared?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well....Ah....Ah ain't scared!” Apple Bloom pouted.

“Fine!” Scootaloo hissed. “Then let's go and quit whining!”

They ventured through the brush and were silent for the most part. The crusaders took ther time admiring the foliage and the vast wildlife around them. Nothing pony-sized but still large enough to earn their attention and admiration. They rarely saw the forest during the day, and without the hazards the Everfree contained, they figured it would be a harmless scavenger hunt.

Apple Bloom was still very uncertain and Sweetie Belle was growing worried as well. “Scootaloo, I think Apple Bloom was right, we shou--”

“No!” Scootaloo barked. “I thought we were crusaders not foals! Now quit being such babies and let's go!”

“Why? For what?” Sweetie Belle growled, “We have been walking through this forest for almost an hour and have found nothing!”

“Our food's probably getting' cold.” Apple Bloom protested.

“Ugh! I can't believe you girls.” Scootaloo groaned, “You two crybabies can go back to your cozy little cave. I am going to have some fun, and if it doesn't include two ponies I THOUGHT were my friends than I guess that's the way it is!”

Sweetie Belle wasn't having this. She stepped in front of Scootaloo, “Scootaloo, we....all three of us...are going back to the cave. You are not going out here by yourself.”

“Oh yeah? And what are you going to do?” Scootaloo was apparently ready to pummel her again.

“W-Well I don't know but it's best we just not find out!” Sweetie Belle hissed, “Let's...go...NOW.”

“Pssh, you think you're going to tell me what to do?” Scootaloo pushed past the unicorn. “Fat chance Auntie Sweetie Belle.”

“Scootaloo yer bein' stupid now c'mon before we get lost or hurt!” Apple Bloom urged.

“Give me one good reason how we could possibly get--”

A loud, deep roar bellowed from within the woods, not too far from where the three fillies were bickering. The three froze, eyes widened in fear of what it could possibly be.

Neither of them moved, that sound was close, too close.

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle whispered, “Is that g-good enough?!”

Before Scoots could say anything a tree fell right behind her. A pair of glowing red angry eyes came into view of the Earth Pony and unicorn opposite of her. Scootaloo could feel hot breath at the back of her mane.

“RUNN!!” Apple Bloom screamed as she and Sweetie Belle stampeded in the opposite direction of that horrid creature.

Or at least she thought Sweetie Belle was with her. Scootaloo was right behind her yet the unicorn was nowhere to be found. Another farce, loud roar brought prickly, ice cold chills down the two fillies spines. Sweetie Belle wasn't with them.

“SWEETIE BELLE!” The two ponies hollered, hoping she was a bit behind, no luck.

“FUCK!” Scootaloo screamed, “We have to save her!”

“Scootaloo are you crazy?!” Apple Bloom was crying, “It probably already got her, bes' thing we can do is save ourselves!”

“Well fuck you then I'm going in!” Scootaloo charged back in the direction they came. After some delay, Apple Bloom frantically stumbled to catch up.

It took them some time to follow the sound, the increasingly strong vibrations in the ground from the slow-paced, ever-menacing movement of the Manticore/ Part of them figured they'd be toast trying to save their friend, but to not at least attempt it—would haunt them for life.

They soon approached a clearing—more a thatch of downed trees the manticore was perched upon. Sweetie Belle could be seen, pinned to a tree, bound by sap and intricately woven rope of some sort, likely constructed of fibers from the wood.

Scootallo figured the best way to get her friend was through distracting the beast. Without any forethought, she scurried behind the Manticore and began hollering at it.

“Hey you big dumb Manticore! Why don't you pick on somepony your own size?” Scootaloo taunted. Some shakiness in her voice but she was determined nontheless.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked on in horror as the beast noticed its taunter and gave chase. Apple Bloom took this time to attempt to free Sweetie Belle. She was much too high for her to reach so she tried to buck the tree with all her might.

The first few thwacks didn't seem to do anything other than to hurt her hooves, though it carried enough vibration to disturb the sap that was bonding Sweetie's primative trap. She began to slip.

“You're doing it Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle cheered. Darting her eyes down and in the direction of the beast as Apple Bloom continued to slam her backhooves into the base of the tree as bark and the shaking began to loosen the bondage to the point where Sweetie Belle could drop off.  She landed with a rough thud.

Once she was sure Sweetie was safe, Apple Bloom set her sights on Scootaloo.

“We gotta go save her!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed,

“Way ahead a ya!” Apple Bloom declared. “Follow me!”

The two hurried through the woods again. Following the clear path made by trees that had cracked and tumbled at the mercy of the Manticore. They stumbled, slipped, and smacked into several raised and lowered trees but they made decent pace.

After awhile they made their way to where the monster sat. Scootaloo was nowhere to be seen. The fillies feared the worst.  The manticore was hunched over, the sound of tearing meat and cracking bone made the fillies cringe at every sound.  Their blood ran cold.

“Y......ya think that's Scoots?”  Apple Bloom began to tear up at the thought the beast was laying waster to her friend.

Sweetie Belle said nothing. She sat, as if she were at a loss, nothing in her eyes, her mouth agape. Her mind flashed to memories of a time not too long ago:

______________________________

“How did you find me?” Scootaloo asked as she shivered under a tattered blanket.

Sweetie Belle had made a trip to the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse after forgetting some fabric she had “borrowed” from Rarity's work-room to make an art project for Ms Cheerilee. Until this point she, well everypony assumed Scootaloo lived with her parents or at the orphanige.

“What are you doing here Scootaloo? It's cold!” Sweetie Belle was shivering.

“I....I'm fine Sweetie Belle. Don't worry about me.” Scootaloo was determined to put on tough face. She genuinely didn't want her friend to worry.

Sweetie Belle wasn't convinced. She had some snacks and juice left over in a thermist from that day in a saddle bag she had brought with her to carry the fabric home. She dug it out and offered it to Scootaloo who rejected it.

“Sweetie Belle, I said I'm fine.” Scootaloo was cracking, but still determined to be self reliant.

“Scootaloo, I'm not going anywhere until you eat this.”

“Why? I had lunch t-today with you girls!” Scootaloo protested.

“Yeah! Like hours ago!” Sweetie Belle pushed the food and drink to her friend again.

“Please Scootaloo, no friend of mine deserves to go hungry—well nopony does but espescially you!”

The pegasus simply stared at it. After a while she looked up at her friend and began crying.

“Thank you Sweetie Belle.....You're a true friend.”

Sweetie Belle ran and hugged her sobbing friend. Their embrace lasted longer than anypony could count.

…...

“You had another bad dream Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle whispered as she opened the door to the bedroom. Scootaloo's screaming had woken her up. She figured she might as well deal with it.

“Yeah but....I'm okay.” Scootaloo lied.

Sweetie Belle shut the door and hopped onto Scootaloo's bed. Without another word she pulled the orange filly close and hugged her. Stroking the fillies mane as Scootaloo let her facade fall to pieces.

“It's okay Scootaloo. You don't have to be scared.” The unicorn shoosed her friend affectionately.

“I...I'm n-not scared, I was just...startled. I'm fine.” Scootaloo lied. She didn't break Sweetie's embrace.

After a few minutes a weak whisper came from the crying filly. “Please don't leave me...it's dark.”

Sweetie Belle didn't respond. With time they sniffling and shaking stopped and Scootaloo was asleep in her hooves. Sweetie lowered herself so she was laying on the pillow. She pulled Scootaloo close, put the blanket over them both and cuddled her friend.

“I'm here Scootaloo. I love you. Nopony is ever going to hurt you. I won't let them.”

….....

“I'm sorry.” Scootaloo said dejectedly,  “I-I didn't mean to hurt you. I--”

Scootaloo had indeed hurt her, and it seemed at the moment that she had every intention of doing so. Regardless, Sweetie Belle couldn't hate her. She too had done wrong and apologized as well. Scootaloo was upset, felt guilty among other things.

Sweetie Bell propped herself up and gently kissed Scootaloo whose face turned aflame with embarrassment, with a side of relief.

“I love you too.” Sweetie Belle replied gingerly.

_______________________________

Her mind snapped back to the present. Her hearing and sight returned and the scene was still before her. The Manticore was still feasting on the carcase before her. A sudden wash of determination and blind rage crept up inside of here. A sudden burst of adrenaline she never knew she had made its presence known.

“GET AWAY FROM HER YOU MONSTER!” Sweetie Belle yelled as she charged at the beast with all the speed her little hooves could muster.

“Sweetie Belle NO!” Apple Bloom screamed after her. Too late. The unicorn smashed into the side of the beast. Not leaving a mark but certainly distracting the creature.

As the beast made its move to lunge at the filly, Sweetie hooped over its head and onto it's back and held onto its mane. It attempted madly to buck the filly off but to no avail. It roared in frustration. Apple Bloom mad a mad dash back to the clearing they were in before. Sweetie Belle somehow hung on to the beast and was practically riding it.

She glanced back at the site of flesh and bone and realized it was much too big to be Scootaloo. A relief maybe—she was still out there.

Apple Bloom was losing ground, the Manticore was hot on her heels and she wasn't sure where to go. She saw a weak tree, an opportunity. She pushed herself to gain enough space to make this work. She quickly darted to the other side of this teetering tree and bucked it feircely. Much to her satisfaction it came down and smacked the manticore in the head. Unlike their previous attempts it had now fallen to the ground. Grimmacing.

Apple Bloom kept running, she had no idea where she was going but she was getting out of there. She then smelled an odd burning smell. She looked back to see smoke rising from the tree she had just brought down. She saw no movement so she slowly returned, it smelled of burning fur. She could hear a subtle groaning noise.

The Manticore was somehow on fire. Just as Apple Bloom crept closer, Sweetie Belle bolted from behind the tree and brought her friend with her as they resumed Apple Bloom's original route.

“Ya set the thing on fire?” Apple Bloom asked, panting.

“Had to do something with my magic.” Sweetie Belle smiled, only briefly though as she remembered her friend was still not there. After some time of dashing through thick brush they approached a cliff. While it was clear and they could see again, they were trapped. They presumed the Manticore was hot on their trail.

The two fillies looked at each-other in desperation.

“We're dead.” Apple Bloom said dryly.

“I wouldn't be so sure.” Came a very familiar voice.

“SCOOTALOO!” Sweetie Belle screamed happily as she ran to hug her friend a little too tightly.

“Yeah...I....Okay Sweetie Belle, a little too tight.” Scootaloo gasped.

“I'm so glad your okay!” Sweetie Belle continued. She was now bouncing happily. She gave Scootaloo another kiss on the forehead which more than embarrassed the filly.

“Ah hate ta interrupt our little reunion but....” Apple Bloom said coldly. “We gotta get outta here somehow!”

Scootaloo's face faded to its normal orange and she now wore a look of determination.

“I think I have a plan girls!” She boasted as she peeked over the cliff. She could see a decently wide ridge just below them that seemed to lead to the end of this canyon they were at.

“Follow me!” Scootaloo declared as she cautiously hung from the cliff and dropped to the ridge. The other fillies followed suit and made their way leisurely down the ridge path and towards what appeared to be a lowered part of the forest which would allow them to climb back in.

“How do you know this is going to take us back to the cave?” Sweetie Belle complained.

“You have any better ideas?” Scootaloo barked.

“Sweetie's right.” Apple Bloom said sternly, “Last time we listened to you we all almost got killed!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle added.

“Well....uh....I....” Scootaloo wasn't too sure on how to go forward. Good for her, she didn't have to.

“GIRLS!” Rarity growled. The fillies scampered onto the forest hill and up to a path where some angry mares stood. Rarity and Twilight were both furious. Shaking with anger. Next Chapter: Orange Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 60 Minutes