6 month have passed since I went to the Everfree Forest, together with the little filly Applebloom who... well, I would feel much better if I didn't had to say that. Applebloom changed.... changed a lot.... I'll guess it's a trauma or something like that. She became very clingy and timid.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, her two best friends and co founders of their club called „Cutie Mark Crusaders“, started to get worried too, so they asked me to help her out. Unfortunately I didn't had a clue either so I asked princess Celestia and Luna. Although they did seemed to know something, they remained quite and just told me that there won't be anything to fear. That was more than just strange, but I wouldn’t mistrust the princesses in the first place... but that strange feeling in my head kept me thinking about that. So I decided to visit Zecora again in the Everfree Forest, she seemed to knew what will happen before Applebloom got lost that night.
I arrived at her tree house and silently entered through the open door. Zecora, the tall and mysterious zebra living all alone in this cursed forest, should know all about its magic and histories. I looked around, searching for her. In the middle of the room was a big black bowl. To the left and right scattered throughout the room lay several little and big bottles, some of them were empty and some were filled with strange glowing liquids. On some bookshelf’s and tables were, besides more of those bottles, many old looking books, scrolls and some puppets. Voodoo masks were hanging around the windows and walls, watching me from above with a rather creepy stare.
It was still afternoon so the candles weren't burning, sunlight filled the whole location with warm light. No trace of Zecora though, all I noticed was a silent mumbling echoing from one corner to another.
„Zecora? Are you there?“ I walked further through the room when I suddenly heard her voice approaching from around the corner
„Wha-? Oh its you Twilight Sparkle, what a surprise, I didn’t expected your visit twice.“ For some reason she always use to rhyme her sentences, when we all first met that time it was a bit weird but soon we've accustomed with it. Zecora came around the corner and smiled at me, her golden rings which she always use to wear around her neck and leg were brightly reflecting the sunlight.
„Uhm yes well, you know I just brought you some things a few weeks ago.“
„Yes I remember those things indeed, it was very helpful and more I'd need.“ I brought her some books about local herbs and medicine together with some other herbs, medical reports and several other strange things from the hospital and the Ponyville archive. I wonder why she needed that.
„I’m glad I could help you with your....uhm, for what did you need those things anyway?“ She remained quite for a while, but shortly after she answered with a smile.
„Magic is mysterious and very hard to explain, but if you learn and search there won't be complain.“ This really wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear, but I'll guess it wasn’t that important after all, Appleblooms mental condition had a higher priority by now.
„Well, that’s right I'll guess.“
„Whats wrong Twilight you're looking deep, is there something which is taking your sleep?“
„Actually, its about Applebloom. She's... well, she always wants to cuddle, is very timid and... I don’t know, she seems just changed out. I just hope she's not traumatized or something because of our last visit in this forest. I could never forgive me if that’s the case.“
„Don’t worry dear Twilight, she's maybe scared because of the forest at night, give her some time and she'll get very alright.“
„Hmm I hope your right Zecora.“ To be honest, I expected a bit more from her than this but maybe it'll really just takes some more time. I mean she was all alone in this dark and cold forest after all. It was just too much for a filly, but I couldn't watch her like that, I had to do something on my own!
„Trust me, Applebloom is very brave and strong, no fear in the world will last that long.“
„If you say so Zecora, okay but I will still watch her for a while just in case.“
„The idea isn’t bad I have to admit, just stay near her as a friend and she'll get the grip.“
„I will, thanks Zecora. Oh well, its getting dark again and I want to leave before the same happens like last time. See you later Zecora!“ I turned around and headed back through the main door.
„See you later my friend... escape from the night, sometimes it needs a miracle to find back
to the light.“ Zecoras last words were deep and filled with concerns, even she seemed to be worried.
Poor Applebloom, don't worry I'll find a cure for you! Normally there were about 4 more hours left till dusk, but I wanted to get back to my place as fast as I could, back to the library so I could
search for a certain magic spell...

„... cupcakes~ so sweet and tasty, cupcakes~ don’t be to hasty, cupcakes~ cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAAAAA-“
„OH STOP SINGING PINKIE!“ Dashie interrupted me again for the hundred and... uhm, many other times since we started baking here at the Sugarcube Corner. It was a bit disappointing, but I knew one of Dashies little secrets. Well I know almost everything about her but that one is the most funniest one... well uhm the second... no wait third.... wait what did I wanted to say? Oh right~
„Oh come on Dashie, I know you love to sing, too!“ Shocking right?
„Wha- What are you talking about?!“
„Hihi, auntie Pinkie knows that you're singing every time when you believe that you're alone~“
„G- Grr- Bah! That’s not true!“ Dashies face turned red, she bit on her teeth and stared away.
„You can't lie to me Dashie~“
„BE QUITE!“ She shouted as loud as she could. The cakes and lamps in the kitchen started to shake while her voice was rushing through the room.
„Whats going on down there?“
„Nothing Mr. Cake!“ She answered nervously.
„Yapp everything is code purple! ….. or was it blue? Green? Maybe even...“
„Well okay then, you know that Hearths Warming Eve is coming closer every day and we need as much food we can store to overcome the winter.“ After saying that Mr. Cake went back upstairs. He's a nice pony but sometimes a bit jazzed. Mr. and Mrs. Cake are the owners of this bakery, I started working for them when I was just a little filly, shortly after I left my home on the rock farm. I miss my family very bad, but I don’t have that much money to visit them... its been around 10 years now since I saw them the last time. Oh well keep smiling Pinkie! You can't be sad, you promised it!
„Yeah yeah whatever, lets just hope that Applejack is doing her job well, too.“ Dashies voice kicked me out of my thoughts and right into the kitchen again.
„Oh I'll guess she'll be alright.“ That’s what I said, but I'll guess that Applejack is still very depressed because of her younger sister Applebloom, poor thing. We continued backing jummy cupcakes and other sweet stuff, until Dashie suddenly stopped and began to talk in a rather silent voice.
„Hey Pinkie...“ She sounded very sad and worried. You know... Applejack is Dashies very very bestest friend ever after all... sometimes I'm a bit jealous about that.
„Whats wrong Dashie?“
„Its about Applejack... and Applebloom of course. Do you think that both of them will get well again some day? It's been almost a half of a year by now, I’m really.... well-“
„You're worried right?“ She looked at me with a very sad expression and nodded.
„Applejack seems so tired, always confused and preoccupied in thoughts. She can't even apple buck like before nor...“ I went over to Dashie and gave her a little hug.
„Don't worry, what would Applejack say if she would be here?“ I stepped back, grabbed one of the cakes standing on one of the tables and modelled a cowboy hat like the one Applejack's wearing.
„Ah ain’t a sissy! It needs much more to get THIS earth pony down that easily sugarcube!“
Dashie started to giggle and shortly after both of us began to laugh, it felt so good.
„Well that was one hell of a show Pinkie!“ Suddenly I heard Applejacks voice approaching from the door to the kitchen, she looked tired as always and her mane was totally muddily.
„A-Applejack! We uhm, we just wanted to bake a.... a „get well cake“ for you and Applebloom so we uhm...“
„So we thought about that time when you tried to catch those Parasprite thingies that day and how funny that was~“ Applejacks tired eyes starred emotionless in our direction, her huge black eye circles seemed to pulse in the light of the kitchen. She just looked like a zombie... scary.
She started to smile a bit and came closer.
„Oh well if that’s all, huff.... sorry girls ahm a bit irritable. Are you two okay? What about our cake store for the winter?“
„Everything is all very alrighty don’t worry~ Right Dashie?“ We were baking for hours now, the results were about 78 cupcakes, 23 small cakes, 2 big cakes, one huuuuuuuuuuuuge cake and a few muffins... wow how productive.
„Huh? Uhm yes, yes everything is alright-y. What about you Applejack, you look terrible!“
„Ahm glad to hear that, and don't ya care about me ahm alright, too. I maybe need a bit sleep but that’s just a little handicap. Here are some more apples, ah stored them in the baskets in front of the door. Wait ah'll gonna get 'em.“ Applejack turned around and tottered to the door of the kitchen when Dashie ran up to her and blocked the way.
„Yes thanks, we can handle it from here, just go and take a nap okay?“ She grinned.
Applejack looked confused but I'll guess she already knew about Dashies concerns.
„Okay sugarcube, but first I have to buck some more apples for our Sweet Apple Acre farm.“
„Your family can do that for you, its not like granny Smith, Big Macintosh and Applebloo...“
Dashie shocked for a moment and remained quiet, Applejack looked to the ground and just smiled.
„Thanks Rainbow, but ah can do this on mah own don't worry!“ She walked past Dashie and disappeared through the entrance of the Sugarcube Corner.
„... come on Dashie, lets contin-“ Suddenly Dashie kicked against the baskets filled with Applejacks apples. Apple juice and apple pieces were flying through the room while the other apples were falling to the ground, scattering over the whole floor. She stomped with her hooves on the ground.
„That’s all Twilights fault! If she didn’t took Applebloom with her into the Everfree forest, she would've never even get this trauma in the first place!“ Maybe it was Twilights fault, but she surely didn’t meant to let that happen to Applebloom. Something must have happened back then, but Dashie wouldn’t believe that.
„Dashie...“
„Sorry Pinkie, I have to go for a flight to come down a bit, see ya later!“ She turned around and rushed out of the door, taking off into the blue sky like a rainbow-colored rocket. I stayed behind and watched her soaring through the clouds. The sun shined from above, taking me a clear sight at Dashie until she disappeared into the blue.
My heart was heavy too, but I couldn’t give in that easily! I didn't wanted some pony to notice that even I, the happiest pony in Equestria could be sad.
„... well Pinkie, you know what you have to do now, right?“ I said to myself.
„The cakes can wait, its time to cheer my friends up! Pinkiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie GO!“ I ran out of the Sugarcube Corner and down the road, not knowing where to start.
„Oh wait!“ Silly filly me, I forgot something! I ran back to the bakery.
„IM GOING OUT FOR A WHILE, DONT WORRY I COME BACK IN AN HOUR! PINKIE PROMISED!“ I shouted up the stairs to inform Mr. and Mrs. Cake, after that I continued my travel through Ponyville.
„What? P-Pinkie? Wait! Where are you going? … hm oh well, time for a little break I'll guess.“

„Okay let's see.... OH! Yes right here!“
„Ouch!“
„Sorry Fluttershy dear, I didn't meant to prick you.“
„Oh uhm, its okay.“ Rarity and I were up the whole night now, making dresses and other things like accessories for her boutique. It all started a few days ago when she asked me to borrow her some of my sheep's for their wool. I couldn't deny my help but I also couldn’t let those poor things getting a cold so close before Hearths Warming Eve. Gladly she promised me to make some pullovers for them in return, so they'll have it warm and comfy throughout the winter time. Now, 4 days later, she still works like mad on her dresses.
I said I'll help her, now I’m here, playing the fashion model for her like back then when I was a model for Photo Finish. Well I have to admit... it was a quite nice feeling being admired by so many ponies I didn't even knew, it made me feel so pretty and.... Oh my, that sounds so selfish! Oh Fluttershy be more reserved!
„Fluttershy my dear is everything alright?“
„Hm? Oh I’m so sorry, I've just... uhm.“
„Don't worry dear I’m almost done. After this we can go into the spa okay? I need something relaxing too after all this work.“ She walked back to the table where all the fabrics were laying on and took a long purple piece of silk, then she came back and hovered it around me with
her magical horn.
„Now to the grandé finale! Hold your breath dear.“
„Why- uff!“ She wrapped the piece of silk very tight around my belly, like a corset. I tried to hold my breath but it was just too tight. I hope she'll hurry or else...
„It's... PERFECT! Oh dear it looks so marvellous, so fancy and just-“ I couldn't hold my breath any longer and released a deep breath, the brooch which held the two ends of the silk together were ripped apart and flew through the room.
„Huff, huff... oh Rarity I’m so sorry I didn't wanted to-“
„Hahaha oh my dear Fluttershy it's okay, I guess it was a bit too tight for you. I'm the one who should apologize, here let me help you out of this dress.“ Rarity used her magic to open the buttons of my dress and let it slightly glide down my back, putting it back into the chest in the corner of
the room.
„It's a great dress, but I have to rethink it's measures.“
„I'm so sorry Rarity.“
„For what my dear?“
„Well because I'm too...“ My voice sank down and became squeaky, it was so embarrassing to me.
„... too fat.“ I lowered my head to the ground and blushed, it had to be my fault that her beautiful dress became a failure, just because I'm too fat.
„Oh darling.“ Rarity came closer to me and poked me with her nose.
„You're not fat! My measures were too small, not even the thinnest pony model in whole Equestria could have ever been able to wear that without breathing correctly. I'm a bit tired but the deadlines are running out and everypony wants their winter cloth so there's no break for me and-“ Rarity talked like a machine, unstoppable and getting louder with every word.
„Uhm Rarity are you okay?“ She stopped and massaged her head with her hooves.
„Yes, yes, yes. Sorry Fluttershy, come on let's go to the spa.“
„Sister?“ A cute little voice came out of the other room. A few seconds later the little sister of
Rarity came through the door, looking very depressed. She is one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a really cute bunch of three fillies- Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and... oh my, I'll guess I knew what could have been the reason for her depression. It tore my heart apart when I heard about Applebloom for the first time, poor little thing.
„Hey my dear, are you crying?“
„Uhm... n-no I just...“ Rarity looked at me with a confused stare until I noticed that she meant Sweetie Belle instead of me. That was so embarrassing!
„S-sorry...“ I looked away, hoping Rarity would forget it very fast.
„Uhm sister?“ Sweetie Belle started to talk again with a lowered voice.
„Whats wrong Sweetie?“
„Its about Applebloom, I asked Twilight to have a look at her but she just ran away. I’m very worried about her, will she be alright soon?“ Oh Sweetie Belle...
„Oh my dear Sweetie Belle, you know that Applebloom had a very hard time when she got lost in the Everfree Forest. Don't blame Twilight, she'll try to cure her I'm sure of it! She already gives herself the fault for Appleblooms condition but...“ Sweetie Belle raised her voice and interrupted Rarity.
„Maybe it WAS her fault! She COULD have protected her, but she didn't! SHE JUST LEFT HER ALONE!“
„SWEETIE BELLE! Watch your voice!“ Rarity shouted.
Sweetie lowered her head and became silent again.
„I- I’m sorry, I just......“ Suddenly she started to chortle and sniff, her eyes became wet... oh my poor baby. I wanted to say something but.... I didn't knew what I could say by now to cheer her up.
„Oh sweetie don't cry.“ Rarity went over to Sweetie Belle and hugged her tight. At that moment it was clear to me that it had to be done by her big sister, I couldn't give her as much love as her own sister after all. Sweetie Belle wrapped her arms around Raritys neck and pressed her face into Raritys shoulder.
„I’m sorry, I didn't meant to shout at you, but there is no reason to talk that bad about a friend of yours. You know Twilight and she would never do something like that, would she?“
„We-Well I know but... its not fair! She is the greatest magician in whole Equestria, why couldn't she just protect her or something?
„Dear you know your little friend, I suppose that Applebloom maybe got curious and sneaked into the forest to investigate something or was searching for adventures like you three always do.
No one really knows what happened, Twilight said that she was trying to open the blocked way, after a few minutes when it was done she noticed that Applebloom was already gone.“
„But what about Appleblooms story? What did she said?“
„Uhm.... you see, she's still a bit confused so she... well...“ It was hard to explain but the poor Applebloom doesn't seemed to want to talk about what happened, maybe it was too horrible.
I asked her too back then, but everything she always said was „Ah'm fine.“
Maybe it was nothing but...
„..... she is no longer a Cutie Mark Crusader...“ What did she say?
„What do you say?“ Rarity gasped.
„She told me... us, that she doesn’t want to belong to the club anymore. It's too dangerous she said.“
Applebloom left the club? Oh my! I have to talk to her, but first I should try to cheer Sweetie Belle up a bit!
„Uhm... Rarity?“ I slowly went up to Rarity, speaking as silently as I could.
„What is it Fluttershy?“ She answered.
„S-sorry for interrupting you but... may I talk to Sweetie Belle for a moment?“
Rarity looked back to her little sister, who was still sadly looking to the ground.
„Sure darling.“
„Thank you Rarity.“ I went beside Sweetie Belle and put my hoof on her little shoulder.
„Hey Sweetie Belle don't be sad, I'll talk to Applebloom and ask her what happened okay? Don't worry we can fix this, we will help her out.“ She looked up to me with her big green eyes.
„Can you, uhm, we really do that?“
„Sure, I'll promise you that.“ Sweetie Belle started to smile again and nodded.
„Alright! But what can I do? Oh I know I'll make her a wonderful hat just like Applejacks!“
„That’s a great idea, I will go and talk to her in the meantime.“
„Okay, thank you Fluttershy!“ Sweetie Belle rushed through the door into the next room and started the sewing machine.
„Thank you darling, you really know how to cheer everypony up.“
„Thanks, well I hope you're right and it works for Applebloom too. Uhm- and about the spa...“
Rarity started to smile and slapped with her hoof on my back.
„It's okay my dear, just go and take care of Applebloom. I will stay here and help Sweetie Belle sewing that hat. We can go to the spa some other time.“
„Thank you Rarity, till later then.“ I rushed through the entrance of the Carousel Boutique and started my search for the sad little Applebloom.
„I hope she's alright.“

„... NO! ITS NOT HER FAULT!“
„IT IIIIS HER FAULT! SHE WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK YOUR LITTLE SISTER INTO THE EVERFREE FOREST!“
„RAINBOW STOP BEEING SO STUBBORN!“
„I-AM-NOT-STUBBORN! IT'S THE TRUTH! IT'S HER FAULT THAT APPLEBLLOM IS-“
„Uhm- sis? Is everythin' alright?“ A silent noise broke the high tension which filled the barn.
My adrenaline kept rushing through my body, prepared to punch anything around me as strong as I could to leave some steam. But then Applebloom, our little filly of sorrow came across so I had to calm down. Applejacks expression fell to the ground when she saw her little sister timidly peeking around the corner of the barn entrance. She tried to smile, but it was hard because of the previous conversation with me. Applebloom went over to Applejack and started to cuddle her leg, she answered with a soft poke of her nose....
„Are... are ya' two quarrelling because of me?“ Applejack looked up to me and started to frown.
„I uhm... well...“ The little filly carefully looked up to me too with her big wet orange eyes and started to speak silently.
„Please don’t quarrel, not because of me! Ahm so sorry for making y’all so much trouble!
Ah'll make it up to ya' again... promised! But please be good company again!“
„Applebloom...“ Applejack sighted.
Seeing those both sister having their nerves at the breaking point did hurt me badly, it was like
a punch in my stomach. Applejack is one of my bestest friends in whole Equestria,
it was just... gosh I couldn't stay here any longer!
„DARNIT!“ I dashed out of the barn and ran as far away as I could, trying to suppress my tears.
The last thing I wanted was for Applejack to see me crying like a little baby filly!
„Oh hey RainboooOOOOAAAAH!“
„SCOOTALOO?!“ I tried to avoid that little pegasi filly by turning to the right, but what I didn't saw was that large massive tree which I rammed instead. My head was ringing like a giant bell when the still vibrating tree rejected me and tossed me to the ground. Pain and aggression floated my brain and made me starting to scream.
„GAAAAAAAAAAH!“
„OH GREAT CELESTIA! Is everything alright Rainbow Dash?“ Scootaloo went beside me, totally nervous, searching my body for wounds and scratches.
My mind was still crowded with all sorts of emotions, not to mention the physical pain caused by that darn tree. I tried to calm down a bit. Although it wasn’t that easy I made it to lower my anger and responded to Scoot.
„Gnnn yeah don't, ow, worry Scootster. I'm alright!“ Scoot still looked worried and stared at me.
„Are you sure? The tree itself is still shaking!“
„So what? Maybe its a rubber-tree or something! Does it really matter? Just let me alone!“ I stood up and just wanted to fly away when Scoot suddenly grabbed my tail and pulled me back.
„WAIT! Uhm- I mean please wait a minute Rainbow Dash.“
„Oh man, what is it kid?“ Scoot looked away like she would be concerned about anything, maybe she knew what was driven me angry and was now trying to talk about it.
„Why are you so angry? D- do you hate me, too?“
„What?“ She let go of me and turned around, still looking to the ground she continued.
„I don’t know, it seems that you don’t like me, nopony does. The older ponies are too busy, most of the younger ones are making fun of me because I can't fly that well and because I'm still blank at my flank. My greatest idol don't wants to talk to me and now... one of my best friends doesn't want to play nor talk to me anymore either!“ Scoot... darn, is everypony in ponyville depressed?
Great, now I had a bad conscience too! Did I really ignored Scoot that often? No nonsense!
… well I couldn't just left her behind like that, I had to say at least something cheerful to her... but what? I was not really good in cheering other ponies up, that’s Fluttershys job.
„Listen Scoot... I- uhm, well I'm sorry if I maybeeee ignored you sometimes, I didn't meant to I
was just too busy sometimes... I'll guess.“
„That’s okay it's not that bad after all, but why did Applebloom rejected me as her friend? Did I do something wrong?“ Applebloom, Applebloom, Applebloom... gosh I'm getting sick of hearing that name all the time, why can't she just go to a psychiatrist or something?
„Listen kid, uhm- Scoot. It's not because of you it's because of Twilight! She took Applebloom into the Everfree Forest and lost her in the middle of the night, that’s why Applebloom got that timid.“
„Oh you mean the story with those zombies? That’s just some kind of petty excuse, I’m sure of it!“
„No it's the truth that she- wait... what did you say?“ Did she just said zombies?
„Zombies... you know- creepy muddy fellows with red eyes and such, it sounded more like a Ponywood movie. Why would she lie to me?“
Jepp she was right that really sounded like a petty excuse, Applebloom must had hallucinations followed by nightmares or something like that. Poor thing.
„Does any other pony know about that, too?“
„I dunno, why should she lie to other ponies, too?“
„Maybe to hide the truth? I can't say by now but I'll find out what happened!“
„I’m sure you will! You can make everything!“
„Hehe thanks ki- uhm Scoot.“ I turned around and spread my wings, ready for take of.
„... till someday then...“ Scoot's sad voice poked my ears. I looked back and saw her walking away slowly with a lowered head. Well Scootaloo is quiet cute and kinda cool too, much more different than the other fillys in her age. Maybe I was too rough to her the last few times we met, she's my biggest fan after all so I'll guess I should take her with me. I flew a small flip and landed right in front of her again. She felt back on her butt and starred up to me, her purple eyes grew bigger.
„C'mon Scoot, ready for a flight?“ Her eyes started to sparkle, her mouth still opened and speechless.
„B- but I can't fly.“ She stuttered.
„So what? Hopp on my back Scoot and hold on tight!“ She gasped for excitement and started to hyperventilate. It would’ve taken hours until she would jump on my back on her own so I took her and threw her on my back myself. She wasn't that heavy, like a little orange plush with a cool short violet haircut. I began to run, shortly after I dashed into the sky with a high speed.
Scoot who still tried to hold onto something on my back started to scream.
„I told you to hold on tight!“ After a few meters up high in the clouds she stopped screaming for fear and started to scream and laugh out of excitement.
„YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAH THATS SO AWESOOOOOME!“ Hehe she remembered me on myself when I was as old as her now. Don't worry kid, someday you can fly that high and fast on your own... heh, well okay NOT as fast as me, but maybe fast enough to keep up with me. Someday...