The next morning was a good beginning for Scootaloo's life. She finally has a roof above her head. A warm bed and delicious food. Most of all, she has the greatest monster hunter looking over her and protect her from any harm. Even her father. She shivered from the thought of her father finding her but she felt safe now because Asura is now her guardian.

Asura prepared food and took her for a picnic with the rest of the girls. They all steeled near a lake and enjoyed each other company while eating his delicious food. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Spike were playing tag with each other. When they were a few distance away from the group, the human wanted to tell them about Scootaloo living with him.

Asura said, "Girls. I have something to tell you about Scootaloo."

Rainbow asked, "What about Scootaloo?"

Asura said, "From now on, she will be living in house."

Gilda said, "She will be living with us? I don't mind but can you tell us why?"

Asura said, "At the end of Winter Wrap Up, I was walking around Ponyville when I heard someone crying."

Mellow Hoof asked, "Who was the poor dear?"

Asura said, "I tracked down the source of the crying and reached the outskirt of Ponyville. There I found a run down house and the crying was coming from inside it. I went in and I found who was crying."

Fluttershy asked, "Who was it?"

Asura look towards Scootaloo who was happily playing with Spike, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. He said with a frown, "It was Scootaloo."

The gasped in shock and Rainbow asked, "What!? Scootaloo? What happened? Why was she crying? Did anyone hurt her?"

Asura sigh and said, "When I found Scootaloo, there were other things that I saw which made me mad."

Applejack asked, "What did you saw Asura?"

Asura said, "Scootaloo was sitting in the middle of a broken room. She was shivering from the cold and all she had to cover her self with was a torn bed sheet."

The girls gasped and look towards Scootaloo who was laughing happily with her friends.

Trixie asked, "Why was she there like that?"

Asura said, "At the time, I didn't know what happened but I did not like how she was suffering. I hugged her to which she began to cry. The poor thing cried herself to sleep. I immediately took her to my house and lay her on my bed."

The girls smiled at what he did. Bon Bon said, "That's a good thing you did Asura."

Fleetfoot said, "Yeah. No one so young should suffer like that."

Asura was silent which made the girls worry. Fluttershy asked, "Asura. Is something wrong?"

Asura sigh and said, "When I picked up Scootaloo, I found out that she was really light, which indicated that she must have also been starving."

The girls gasped and Pinkie said, "Starving!? No one should starve like that! Especially a young one at that!"

Swift Tail asked, "How long has she been living like this Asura?"

Asura said, "Scootaloo is 12 years old, so I think that she has been living like that for about 3-4 years."

The gasped again and Rainbow said, "What!? 3-4 years! Why didn't she tell anyone about this! We would had helped her!"

Asura said, "I agree with you Rainbow. Scootaloo should have told someone about her situation but she had a good reason not to."

Rainbow said, "What possible reason could there be? Is she an orphan? Cause it doesn't make any different. We would have still helped her."

Applejack nodded and said, "You got that right. Ain't no one so young should be living like that."

Rarity said, "You did the right thing darling."

Fluttershy hugged him and said, "Thank you for taking her into your house. The poor filly would has suffered more if you hadn't found her like that."

Asura said, "I just couldn't stand seeing some one so young living like that. I did what I had to do and took her to my house. When she woke up, she was scared of something but she calm down when see saw me. I gave her food to which she readily ate and then I warm up the water for her bath. However, she didn't let me leave her alone in the bath. She pleaded me to stay with her."

This was getting awkward and the girls stayed silent until Spitfire asked, "So did you stayed?"

Asura sigh and said, "I stayed but I had my eyes closed. When I was helping Scootaloo clean up, I felt something on her back. I opened my eyes and saw something that should have not been there."

The girls became worried and Redheart asked, "What did you find?"

Asura said, "I found several scars from cuts and bruises on her back." The girls gasped and he continued, "I looked at her arms and legs and they were scarred too but they were hidden under her fur. I turned her around and found that her front was just as damaged as her back."

The girls were horrified to hear that. Something like this happening top a filly was simply disgusting. Rainbow asked in anger, "Who did it? Who was the one who hurt her?"

Asura said, "I didn't asked at the time because Scootaloo saw that I was looking at her scars and began to cry again. I didn't say anything either and simple helped clean her up. After drying her and giving her new clothes, she just sat on my bed in silent. I sat besides her and asked how she got those scars but she remained silent. I asked her again and promised to protect her from whatever hurt her in the first place."

The girls faces turn to sadness as they heard how the filly reacted. Mayor Mare asked, "So, did she talk? Did she tell you what hurt her?"

Asura nodded and said, "She did. After she cried, she calm down and told me who hurt her."

Rainbow asked, "Who was it? Tell me so I can go and beat them into the ground for ever hurt Scootaloo like that!"

Applejack said, "I'm with Rainbow on this one. No one hurts a filly like that and gets away with it."

The other girls agreed with them and Asura said, "The one who hurt her was Scootaloo's father. She told me how he beat her and whip her for not being able to fly. Some times he even tired to drown her."

The girls gasped and Swift Tail asked, "Where was her mother at the time?"

Asura said, "Her mother died from a disease when Scootaloo was 8 years old. Her suffering started from that day on."

The girls faces turned into one of disgust and anger. Applejack pounded her fist into her hand and said, "Why that no good varmint! I will buck him so hard that his spine would break."

Rainbow said, "I'm going to use my sonic rainboom on him and slam him into the ground."

While the other girls talking about how they would punish the stallion, Twilight was the only one who in a thinking pose. Fluttershy asked, "Um, what did you do after words if you don't mind me asking"

The girls became quite and waited for his answer. Asura said, "After finding out who hurt her, she began to cry. So I cast a sleep spell on her and lay her on my bed. Before I left to find her father and punish him, there was one mystery that confused me about Scootaloo's story."

Twilight said, "This mystery is about how Scootaloo's mother died right?"

Gilda asked in confusion, "What do you mean how she died? Scootaloo told him it was because of a disease that her mother died."

Twilight shook her head and said, "No girls. Scootaloo's mother couldn't have died due to a disease. That's impossible."

Aloe asked, "What do you mean Twilight?"

Twilight said, "The reason Scootaloo's mother couldn't have died from a disease is because there are no such diseases that is capable of taking one's life. Sure there are other diseases that makes ponies unable to do things like magic, flying or lower their strength etc but nothing life threatening like that."

Asura nodded and said, "Twilight is right. When I went to meet the doctors of Ponyville to make cures for diseases, I never found any life threatening one."

The girls were silent as they let his words sink into their brains to process it. They faces turn one of horror and Lotus said, "D-does that means t-that Scootaloo's m-mother was .."

Asura nodded and said, "Yes Lotus. Scootaloo's mother, Soothe Wing was murdered."

The girls gasped and Zecora asked, "Who could have murder Soothe Wing?"

Trixie said, "I ... I think I ... know who .. it was."

Rainbow asked, "Who do you think it was Trixie?"

Trixie look at the human and said, "It was Scootaloo's father wasn't it?"

The girls look at him who nodded sadly. The girls were horrified to hear that. Asura said, "I wanted to confirm this and went to Soothe Wing's grave. There, I scanned her corpse and my suspicion were confirmed. There were traces of poison in her body."

Zecora said, "Using poison to murder her? Why did he do that?"

Asura said, "Scootaloo's father, Swift Wing was a retired admiral from the princesses royal guard. He was a proud stallion and a lot prideful as well. He was more worried about his reputation that his family. He wanted to had a colt who would succeed him but was extremely disappointed when Soothe Wing birth a filly. He didn't loved her but his hate only grew when he found out that Scootaloo was unable to fly due to her wing disease. So he told Soothe Wing to rid of the filly but she didn't want that. She loved her daughter with all of her heart that she went against his wishes. This infuriated him that a mare went against him. So he used poison to kill her and buried Soothe Wing's corpse in the cemetery. When he returned home, he told Scootaloo that she died due to a disease."

The girls were really disgusted by what Swift Wing did to Scootaloo and her mother. Lyra asked in anger, "What else did he do to Scootaloo?"

Asura said, "From that day, he beat her badly. He punch and kick her when she could do nothing except curl into a ball and beg him to stop. He whip her and made fun of how she was a failure as a Pegasus. He even claimed that he would not call her his daughter."

The girls were getting angrier and angrier by the second as they heard what Swift Wing did to Scootaloo. But what they heard next made them snap.

Asura said, "However, one day, her father was heavily drunk and entered her room. There, he did something that disgust me to the core."

Fluttershy asked, "W-hat did he do?"

Asura said in anger, "He tried to rape her."

The girls gasped in horror before turning into anger and disgust. Asura continued, "This is the reason Scootaloo didn't tell anyone about her situation. If she did, then word would have spread around and soon it would have reached her father's ears. She wanted to be as far away from him as possible."

Rainbow jumped up and landed on her legs. She said, "That's it! When I find that bastard, I won't stop until every bone is his body is broken!"

Applejack also stand up and said, "Let me join you Rainbow. I'll show him what happens when he makes a filly suffer like that."

The girls were ready to search for that bastard but Asura stopped them and said, "You don't have to do that girls. Not anymore."

Rainbow said, "Why should we stop!? That bastard needs to be taught a lesson and I'm going to be the one to do that!"

Asura smiled at how they cared about Scootaloo. He said, "Because I already did punished him."

The girls stopped and Applejack asked, "You did? What did you do?"

Rainbow said, "I bet you did some torture or something right?"

Asura nodded and said, "Lets just say that he won't be bothering anyone ever again. Also, Twilight, could you send a letter to the princesses, telling them of all the things Swift Wing did to Scootaloo?"

Twilight nodded and said, "Yes. I can do that but may I ask why they need to know this?"

Asura said, "The princesses needs to know because Swift Wing was a retired admiral of the royal guards. He thought that just because he was someone so high in ranks, he can do such things to a mother and a filly. So his name should be taken down from the hall of fame due to his disgusting actions. Also, this will be a warning to other retired members of the royal guards. If they even think that they can hurt others just because they have higher ranks in the royal guards, then they are gravely mistaken."

Twilight nodded and will send a letter to the princesses later. For now, the girls were very happy for Scootaloo for she now has a house she can call home. The day was spend with the girls and filly. Later on, Twilight sent a letter containing all the despicable acts Swift Wing did, to the princesses. The princesses were appalled, disgusted and enraged when they found out that one of their retired admiral did this. They both immediately took actions.

The princesses first took down Swift Wing from the hall of fame. Then they send some undercover ponies to investigate the lives of the rest of the retired members of the royal guards. The under covered ponies returned with disturbing news. More than half of the retired high rank officers were taking advantage of their achievements and hurt other and their own family. Enraged and disgusted by this, the princesses made an arrest warrant of them and brought them in for questioning. After that, they were arrested for their wrong doings and throw them into the dungeons for a really long time.

The princesses then made a law which state that if any retired or on duty member of the royal guards take advantage of their high rank, they will be arrested immediately and they will be expelled from the royal guard. The effect was immediate as the rest of the retired officers changed their way of life. So did the other high rank office who were on duty. No one dare to think of taking advantage of their ranks or they will be severely punish by having the monster hunter deal with them.

All except one who didn't care about the human and continued to proceed with his plan against Asura, thinking that one day he would be victorious against him.

Next Day

The CMC were in front of a bowling building. Each of the filly had a bowling ball with them. Apple Bloom said, "Today's the day, Cutie Mark Crusaders! I can just feel it! Today's the day we are all gonna get our cutie marks in... bowling!"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle cheered. Apple Bloom said with a thinking pose, "Why, after today, we won't even be the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore! We'll be the... the Three Strikes!"

Scootaloo look at her with a deadpan face and said, "That makes us sound like we've struck out."

Apple Bloom think about it again and said, "Mmm. How 'bout the Pin Twins?"

Sweetie Belle came between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and said, "But there are three of us."

Apple Bloom think about it again for a while and said, "Okay then... Um... the Bowling Dolls!"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both beamed at that. Sweetie Belle said in glee, "The Bowling Dolls! That's it!"

Scootaloo did an air fist and said, "Perfect!"

Apple Bloom look at the building's door and said with determination, "All righty then! Let's bowl 'em over!"

The CMC entered the building. Inside, many ponies were present. Some of them were bowling while other sat on couches and look at others performing. Sweetie Belle was first to bowl. She held one bowling ball with both of her hands as it was heavy. She slowly walk towards the bowling pavement and put the ball on the floor. She couldn't throw it as it was heavy. So she simply gave a push with both of her hands.

The ball began to roll towards the pins but then turn its way away from it and fell into the gutter. Sweetie Belle was not sad about the ball falling into the gutter. Instead she smiled cutely and returned to the couch.

Scootaloo was next. She took her bowling ball and stand in position. However, she had though of a new way of bowling that may make her look cool. Scootaloo throw the ball up in the air and then gave it a good spin kick. Instead of the ball launching towards the pin, the ball hit a wall which bounced off of it and hit some bowling balls, that were launched in several direction which the nearby ponies gasped and dogged them. Finally Scootaloo's bowling ball landed into the gutter.

Everyone in the building glare at Scootaloo which made her feel embarrassed. She rubbed her arm and laughs nervously. Next was Apple Bloom. She took hold of the bowling ball and found it to be heavy. She was wobbling to stand still but she slip off the slippery floor and fell. However, the bowling ball bounced forward and *Crash*.

The ponies began to cheering and a mare said, "Cool! A bowling cutie mark!"

When Apple Bloom heard that, she immediately stand up and said, "I did it! I did it! I got my Cutie Mark!"

She lifted up her skirt and look at her hip and found it to be .... "Blank?" She said in confusion.

Apple Bloom heard cheering and look around. She saw a young colt looking his bowling Cutie Mark in joy. Apple Bloom then look at her own ball and saw it rolling very slowly towards the pin and then it came to a stop when it touched on pin.

Apple Bloom said in sadness, "But... but... what about my ball?"

The CMC left the bowling building and were excited and happy. Except for one filly.

Sweetie Belle said in glee, "That bowling sure was fun, even if all I got was gutter balls."

Scootaloo said, "Yeah, at least you were able to keep your ball in your lane. I don't think Mr. Kingpin is ever gonna let me play again! Hey, maybe I could get my cutie mark in demolition!"

They both laugh at that but stop when they saw how sad Apple Bloom was. Scootaloo said, "Aw, come on, Apple Bloom."

Sweetie Belle said, "I know just what you need to put the bloom back on your apple."

They went to Sugarcube Corner and Sweetie Belle gave her a cup cake, saying, "A treat from Sugarcube Corner will cheer you up."

Apple Bloom pushed the cup cake back and said in sadness, "No, it won't."

Then Pinkie came by and put a party hat on her head and said, "A party will cheer you up!"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came besides Apple Bloom and blow party whistles to make her happy. However it didn't work.

Apple Bloom said, "No, it won't."

They then went to Carousel Boutique where Rarity put a lovely hat that held colorful feathers, on Apple Bloom head. She said, "A lovely new chapeau will cheer you up."

Apple Bloom was so much sad that even the feather became limp due to her mood. She said, "No, it won't."

Apple Bloom left the boutique and began to walk on the street with her head down.

Scootaloo said, "Come on, Apple Bloom, it's just a cutie mark!"

Sweetie Belle said in glee, "Or lack of a cutie mark!"

Scootaloo quickly shush her and said, "Shh! That's not helping! Apple Bloom! Where are you going?! Apple Bloom, come back!"

Apple Bloom didn't listen and continued her walk. If she had look up in front of her, she would have seen that she was walking towards the Everfree Forest. As she walk through the forest, she didn't see a cliff and fell down from it. Apple Bloom went tumbling down the cliff with her face hitting the ground hard. She immediately held her mouth with her hands and silently screamed at the pain.

Zecora who was picking up herbs from the forest, saw Apple Bloom falling from a cliff, ran towards her. She came in front of the filly and said, "Apple Bloom. Are you okay little one?"

Apple Bloom opened her eyes and saw Zecora in front of her. She wanted to say something but the pain from her mouth kept her from saying anything at all.

Zecora saw this and said, "Open your mouth dear."

Apple Bloom complied and opened her mouth. Zecora look into her mouth and saw one tooth was chipped in half.

Zecora said, "Oh dear. It looks like you have chipped your tooth. Come with me, I have just the trick that will fix you up really fast."

Zecora took Apple Bloom to her tree house in the Everfree Forest and made her a healing potion. She said, "Here you go Apple Bloom. Drink this and your tooth will be healed in no time."

Apple Bloom drank the potion and then look into a mirror with her mouth open. She saw that her chipped tooth mended itself within seconds.

Apple Bloom cheered in joy for her tooth being healed. She said, "Wow. Zecora. When did you learned making something like this? When we came to you in the past, you didn't know how to make one this good."

Zecora blushed and said, "It was my coltfriend Asura. He come to my house on day and spend time with me. During that time, we spend it by some ..... activities." Her face turn red at the though.

Flash Back

One day Asura visited her where they spend time together. They walk around while gathering some herbs she wanted. During this, they discovered a beautiful meadow in the Everfree Forest and rested there. They both lay on the soft flowers and look up at the blue sky. Zecora cuddle up to him who hugged her and brought her closer to him. She nuzzled into his chest lovingly. After a while of cuddling, she began to kiss him lovingly. They both explored each others mouth.

Zecora then took one of his hands and brought it towards her breast. She let him touch her breast which made both of them blush.

Zecora said, "Asura. I want you to feel me."

Asura blushed and nodded. He grabbed and squeeze her boobs softly. After a while, Zecora pulled down her shirt and revealed her naked breast to him. She hugged his head and pulled his face into her breast. Asura first pinched her nipples making her squeak in pleasure. Then he fondle her breast making her moan in pleasure. He then took one of her breast's nipple into his mouth and started sucking on it. Zecora was now lost in a bliss of pleasure. Asura used his virus to make her breast and nipple very sensitive. A wave of pleasure course through her body as he sucked on one of her breast while fondling the other breast.

After a while of pleasure, Zecora climax from just having her breast suck and fondle as they were sensitive. She moaned loudly as she came. Her skirt was wet from her climax. She laid on him as she was exhausted from that blissful pleasure. Asura hugged her and kissed her who returned it lovingly. They both lay on the meadow as they rested from their intimation activity.

Asura asked, "Are you okay Zecora?"

Zecora nodded weakly. He smiled and hugged her. Her breast were touching his chest, making her blush even more. She like this. Her soft and voluptuous breasts touching his warm and strong chest made her heart beat very fast.

Asura asked, "How are you feeling?"

Zecora said with a smile, "I feel like I'm in haven."

Asura smiled and scratched her hears making her lean her head into his hand. After a while, he asked, "So what do you want to do now?"

Zecora tried to say, "Um don't you wanna ....

Asura said with a smile, "Zecora. There is no need to hurry. I will wait when you are ready for me."

Zecora eyes widen and said, "You will? I-I thought that you would be mad for not having my-"

Asura said, "Zecora. One thing you should know that I am not like the stallions here who only want to be with mares for their bodies. No. I'm not one of them. I love my girls and I will wait for them till they are ready."

Zecora was kind of surprised that he didn't jump on her. If she did that with another male, then he would have jumped on her and had his way with her. However, the human didn't did that. She smiled at him. She wants to be more intimate with him but she is not ready yet. When the time is right, she will present herself to him and make true love with him.

Zecora hugged him and said, "Thank you Asura. I would love to go back to my house and store all of the herbs we have gathered today."

Asura smiled and said, "Sure. Lets get going."

Asura stand up and lifted Zecora on her hooves. He snap his finger which dried her skirt from her climax juice. She then put on her shirt and walk towards her house. She kept on walk while being closer to him.

Asura lead her back to her house and even helped her with storing the herbs in her house. Before leaving, he told her about some recipes about how to make strong healing potions. She was very surprised to learn about making even better healing potions that what she already knew. She smiled and kissed him loving before he left. She just stand there and kept of looking at him with dreamy eyes as he disappeared into the forest.

Current Time

Zecora came out of her thought when Apple Bloom asked, "Hello? Zecora? Are you okay?"

Zecora said, "Yes I am Apple Bloom. I was just lost in thought. That's all."

Apple Bloom then look around the various potions Zecora made and said, " Whoa. Zecora. You have tonics that heal all sorts of ailments. Bad bones, bad back, bad breath ... "

Zecora chuckled and said, "Yes little one. It is true, I have many recipes for healing many ailments. Thanks to Asura, now I have even more knowledge of making better potions."

Apple Bloom said, "And not only stuff that fixes the bad, but stuff that brings the good! Good health, good hair ... good heavens! Hmm ... I bet you can mix up a brew to fix ... anything." She said mischievously in the end

Zecora saw her scheming face and said, "There are various kinds of potions in this room, but the one you seek is not here, dear Apple Bloom. A magic potion cannot get you a Cutie Mark. A cutie mark only requires time and patient."

Apple Bloom pouted and said, "Fine." She look over a bowl containing various kind of herbs in it. She asked, "Whatcha got going on there?"

Zecora walk towards a pot and said, "I am brewing up a potion for a rooster and his chicks. The rooster have a sore throat which prevents him from crowing in the mornings."

Zecora pulled out a flower that had heart shape leaves. Apple Bloom saw it and said, "Hey, I've seen that flower blooming in Ponyville! What is it?"

Zecora put some of the flower's petals into the bowl and said, "This flower is called 'Heart's Desire'. A few petals will heal the rooster's sore throat, making him able to give a mighty cock-a-doodle-doo!"

Apple Bloom chuckled at that and said, "That's a funny way for saying that. Heart's Desire, huh?" She began thinking of something.

Zecora search around her herb's containers and said, "Oh dear. I see that I have run out of amethyst. I must go get this purple flower in order to complete the rooster's potion."

Apple Bloom just stared at the bowl and said, "Yeah, you go, you go."

Zecora left her house in search for the final ingredient for the potion. However, she didn't notice the look in Apple Bloom's eyes as she kept starring at the bowl's contents. Or more specifically, the Heart's Desire.

Later

On Ponyville school playground, several colts and fillies were playing around. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were playing with each other but stop when Apple Bloom walk by them with her head held high and a slim metal ring around her waist. They look at her confusingly but then gasped at what they saw.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said, "Aah! Apple Bloom! You got your cutie mark!"

This caused every other colt and filly to stop what they were doing and look at Apple Bloom. They saw a silver ring on the side of her hip. Yes, the fillies wore a bit of skimpy skirts. Don't know why but they just have. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo look at Apple Bloom's Cutie Mark in awe but then turn into confusion as they didn't know what talent it meant.

Sweetie Belle said, "Um, Apple Bloom ... what is it?"

Scootaloo said, "Yeah! Is it an 'o'? Is your talent spelling?"

Sweetie Belle said, "Or is it a ring? Are you a jewelry maker?"

Twist said, "Or is it a powdered donut? 'Cause that sounds delicious."

Apple Bloom chuckled and said, "No, it's a loop-de-hoop!" She began to spin the ring around her waist.

Scootaloo gasp in excitement but then returned to confusion and said, "A what now?"

Apple Bloom said, "A loop-de-hoop! 'Least, that's what I always called it. Applejack made it for me from an old rain barrel when I was littler! Who woulda thought that loop-de-hoop would end up being my special talent?"

Sweetie Belle said, "Wow, Apple Bloom, that's amazing!"

Diamond Tiara came by and look at her Cutie Mark. She scoff and said, "That's it? That's your talent?"

Silver Spoon said, "Spinning a hoop around your waist? Puh-lease."

Apple Bloom grin and said, Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Apple Bloom then did throw her ring at the flag pole to which the ring began to came down. Apple Bloom then kicked the ring high into the sky and when it came down, she jumped at it and went through the ring several times before landing on the ground. This left Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon mouth agape in awe while the other colts and fillies cheered for Apple Bloom's cool feats.

Scootaloo said, "Apple Bloom, you're super-duper-loop-de-hooper!"

Apple Bloom smiled and said, "Thanks, everyone!"

The bell of the school ring and Cheerilee came out and said, "All right, my little ponies, time for class!"

However, Cheerilee words didn't reach the foals who were to busy sheering for Apple Bloom. She came by and saw her talent and said, "Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom stopped and asked, "Yes, Miss Cheerilee?"

Cheerilee smield and said, "I want you to take your loop-de-hoop into the yard... and give us all a lesson in your amazing loop-de-hooping!"

The foals cheered and Apple Bloom smiled in joy. She then began to teach everyone how to loop-de-hoop the right way. After that, she then showed everyone some tricks with her ring which made the foals cheer at her.

Cheerilee said, "Show us some more, Apple Bloom."

Apple Bloom nodded and said, "Well, all right, just a few more tricks. But be warned! These are advanced moves, not for beginners."

Apple Bloom placed the ring on her tail and began to spin it around. She said, "I call this one the hoop-la!"

She spin the ring so fast that she began to float above the ground and kept on raising into the air. Everyone look at Apple Bloom in awe. She smiles as she watch everyone from above. However, her focus was broken when something flashed beneath her skirt which blinded her. She stop spining the ring which made her fell on the ground.

Apple Bloom yelp, "Oof!" as she hit the ground but was unharmed. The foals look at her and gasped. There, under her ring Cutie Mark was another Cutie Mark.

Diamond Tiara said, "Another cutie mark? Hah! I guess that last trick was a lot of hoopla. Those cutie marks are fake!"

This made the foals gasped in shock. Apple Bloom stand back up and said, "What? No they're not!"

Diamond Tiara asked, "Miss Cheerilee. Have you ever heard of a pony with two cutie marks?"

Cheerilee put a hand under her chin and think about it. She said, "I must say that I never have, but maybe Apple Bloom has two special talents!"

Silver Spoon look at Apple Bloom's second Cutie Mark and pointed at it. She said, "Oh yeah? Then let's see you do that!"

Snip said, "Spin plates!"

Snails said, "Yeah!"

Snips and Snails throw two sticks and two plates at Apple Bloom. She saw the objects flying towards her and panic. She closed her eyes and waited for the objects to crash into her but to her surprise, it didn't. Instead, when she opened her eyes, she found the sticks were balancing on her nose and the plates were spinning on top of the sticks. The foals and teacher gasped at her additional talent.

Sweetie Belle said in awe, "Two cutie marks?"

Scootaloo said in awe, "Two talents?"

Apple Bloom look at the spinning plates on her nose and grinned. She said, "Aw yeah!"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said, "Our friend is the most special pony ever!"

Apple Bloom said, "Alright, everyone, You ready for a real show?"

The foals and teacher cheered and followed Apple Bloom. She did several tricks of her talent which amazed the ponies. The ponies were very impressed to she a filly with two Cutie Marks. After showing off her talent, it was night time, so she went home with her family congratulating her for finding her Cutie Mark.

Applejack said as she spin her hat, "Yee-haw, little sis! Congratulations on getting not just one, but two cutie marks! We're mighty proud of you, right, Big McIntosh?"

Big Mac nodded and said, "Eeyup."

Applejack look at her little sister two Cutie Marks and said, "I've never seen anything like it. Have you, Big Mac?"

Big Mac shook his head and said, "Nnnope."

Granny Smith walk towards Apple Bloom and said, "Why, the way you were a-hoopin' and a-hoppin' and kickin' and spinnin' reminded me of when I was a spry young filly." She was feeling very young and not a single bone or muscle in her body gave her any kind of pain.

Applejack said, "Why, Apple Bloom, I think you're ready to hit the rodeo circuit right now!"

Apple Bloom looked really tired. Her hair was messed a bit and there were bags under her eyes. She said, "Actually, I'm ready to hit the hay right now. I'm plum tuckered. I'll see y'all in the morning. Night!"

Apple Bloom went to her room to sleep. Applejack nodded and said in glee, "Night! Oh my, little Apple Bloom has finally blossomed, hasn't she, Big Mac?"

Big Mac nodded and said, "Eeyup!"

They all went to their room to sleep. In the middle of the night, there was a constant tapping sound coming from somewhere. Applejack tried to ignore it and sleep but couldn't. With a grunt, she left her bed and out of her room.

Applejack said, "What in tarnation is that?"

Applejack heard the tapping sounds were coming from Apple Bloom's room. She opened the door and said, "Apple Bloom, what is all that awful... tapping?"

She stops and gasped at what she saw. She said in shock, "Three cutie marks?!"

Apple Bloom now had three Cutie Marks. The third one was a pair of tap dancing shoe which made her tap dance along with spinning the metal ring and balancing two sticks on her head while two plates were spinning on them.

Apple Bloom pleaded, "Help me!"

Applejack quickly walk towards her in order to help her. She said, "C'mere, you!"

However, she couldn't come close as the metal ring spun and hit her. She yelped as she was hit away. She then grabbed Apple Bloom's legs but the tapping didn't stop and Applejack was flung away.

Apple Bloom said in worry, "I'm sorry, Applejack! I dunno how to make it stop!"

Applejack stand up and said, "Well, I know someone who might!"

Applejack took Apple Bloom to the library and knocked on the door.

A very tired voice came out, "Who is it?"

Applejack said, "Twilight! Its me Applejack! I need your help!"

The door opened and Twilight stood there in her pajamas. She asked in half sleep, "What is it Applejack?"

Applejack said, "Apple Bloom is in trouble. She has three Cutie Marks now and she can't stop doing all of them. Can you help her?"

Twilight eyes widen at that and took them in. Inside the library, she look at Apple Bloom's situation in shock. Spike woke up after hearing the tapping sound and began searching for a book about her illness.

Twilight said, "Three cutie marks. Three talents. I've never seen anything like it! I was just reading something about unusual equine illnesses. What was it?"

Spike took out a book and said, ""Perplexing Pony Plagues", perhaps?"

Twilight took the book and said, "Yes, Spike, you're amazing!"

Spike rolled his eyes and said, "Yes I am."

Twilight opened the book and search through it. She said, "Hay fever... the trots... Cutie pox!"

Apple Bloom, Applejack and Spike said in confusion, "Cutie pox?!"

Twilight read, "Cutie pox. This puzzling pony plague afflicted a population of ponies back in the Paleopony Period!"

Spike chuckled and said, "Heh, say that ten times fast!" He was silenced by Twilight's glare.

Twilight said, "Random cutie marks appeared all over the ponies' bodies, causing them to perform all the talents that came with them!"

Apple Bloom said in shock, "Just like me!"

Applejack asked in worry, "Yes, but what's the cure? What's the cure?!"

Twilight read the book and said, "It says here there's no known cure!"

Apple Bloom, Applejack and Spike shouted in shock, "No known cure?!"

Twilight read, "The cause of the breakout was never discovered, and the cutie pox disappears as mysteriously as they arrived!"

A biright light falshed under Apple Bloom's skirt which shocked her. He said, "Oh no! Sacrebleu! Plus de marques de cutie! *Gasp* Qu'est-ce c'est?! Je parle français?! (Oh no! Darn it! More cutie marks! [gasp] What's this?! I speak French?!)"

Applejack look at her little sister with wide eyes and said, "My sister's speaking in fancy!"

Twilight said, "She needs help!"

Applejack said, "I know she needs help! We can't just wait for this to go away! We gotta find someone to mix up a cure! And fast!"

Apple Bloom said, "Tout de suite! (Now!)"

Twilight said, "Not some pony but some zebra!"

Applejack eyes widen and realized who she was talking about. She said, "Zecora! Come on! We need to find her as soon as possible!"

Twilight stopped her and said, "We can't go out now in the middle of the night Applejack. This is the time where the beast of the Everfree Forest are very aggressive."

Applejack said, "But we have to do something! Look at Apple Bloom!"

They look at the filly and saw how tired she look but was still performing her talents. Applejack said, "Look at how tired she is! Can you help her in anyway you can!?"

Twilight said, "I can cast a sleep spell on her. Maybe that will stop her from performing her talents."

Twilight cast a sleep spell on Apple Bloom. She did fall asleep. However, her body did not. While Apple Bloom slept, her body continued to perform her talents.

Applejack said, "Twilight! She's not stopping!"

Twilight said in disbelief, "But that's impossible! She should have stopped doing her talents! Its like her talents are controlling her body."

Applejack said in worry, "We need to do something Twilight! Apple Bloom is getting tired by the second!"

Twilight think for a moment and snap her fingers. She said, "Asura! He should be able to her with Apple Bloom's condition."

Applejack nodded and said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!"

Twilight told Spike, "While we are heading towards Asura's house, look after the library Spike."

Spike nodded and said, "Sure Twilight. Just keep Apple Bloom safe."

Twilight said, "I will Spike."

Applejack and Twilight took Apple Bloom to Asura's house. When they arrived, Applejack knocked hard on the door.

Applejack said, "Asura! Please be awake! I need your help!"

The door opened quickly and Asura stand there. He said, "Applejack. What's the matter? Are you okay?"

Applejack said, "My sister needs help! Just look at her!"

Asura look at Apple Bloom and saw that she was performing some talents at the same time while she slept. He asked, "What's wrong with her? Is she sleep walking?"

Twilight said, "No. She has what is called "Cutie Pox".

Asura said in confusion, "Cutie Pox? What's that?"

Twilight then told him what "Cutie Pox" is which alarmed him as her body continued to perform which kept on draining Apple Bloom's stamina. Asura picked up Apple Bloom and took her to his room. Twilight and Applejack followed him. When they entered his room, they saw Scootaloo sleeping peacefully on his bed. The site of her made their hearts melt as she is now happy an away from he dark past.

Asura put his hand on Apple Bloom's head and let his virus seep into her body. The virus searched for the cause of her problem but couldn't find it anywhere.

Asura said, "I can't seem to find what is effecting Apple Bloom."

Applejack said, "what? But ... but-"

Asura said, "However, if there is nothing inside Apple Bloom's body then there is something else that is effecting her."

Twilight asked, "What could be affecting her if there is nothing inside Apple Bloom?"

Asura said, "I think that she first ate something that caused some reaction. From this reaction, the magic in the air is effecting her. This is my conclusion at the moment. However, I will need more info about this if I need to have some result."

Applejack said, "But what can we do now for Apple Bloom? She is getting exhausted by the second."

Asura said, "Leave that to me."

The virus inside Apple loom's body went into every part of her muscles. The virus numbed her muscles which made Apple Bloom stop performing her talents and slump onto the floor but Asura grabbed her and lay her on the bed besides Scootaloo.

Applejack asked, "What did you do to her?"

Asura said, "I have numbed all of her muscles. This way, she will be unable to move and can rest peacefully."

He look at her and saw Scootaloo hugging Apple Bloom in her sleep. This cute site melted his heart. He smiled as he saw them sleeping peacefully. Twilight and Applejack 'awww' at the scene.

Asura said, "Why don't you let Apple Bloom sleep here tonight Applejack? This way, I can keep an eye on her if she needs anything else."

Applejack nodded and said, "Sure Asura. Look after her."

Twilight said, "We'll start looking for more information in the morning. I bet Zecora knows something about this."

Asura nodded and said, "Sure. Well good night girls."

The girls hugged him and left his house. Asura look back at the sleeping fillies and smiled softly. He then lay besides Apple Bloom and rubbed her head softly. He will find out what is causing her this illness. Asura then slept for the night.

Next Morning

Morning came and Apple Bloom woke up. She yawned and tried to stretched her limbs but she couldn't. She tried again and found that none of her limbs are responding to her. She began to panic as she look at her surrounding. She was in an unfamiliar room. She thought that someone have kidnapped her and will do things to her. Her fear only rose when the door to the room opened but were replaced with relief when Asura walked in.

Asura brought some fried rice for Apple Bloom to eat. She must be hungry as it was breakfast time. He entered the room and found Apple Bloom awoke. He smiled and said, "Good morning Apple Bloom. Did you slept well?"

Apple Bloom smiled and said, "Bonjour Asura. Oui, j'ai bien dormi, mais pourquoi ne puis-je pas déplacer mes membres? (Good morning Asura. Yes I slept great but why can't I move my limbs?)"

Asura was surprised to hear her speak french. He look at her and saw that there were several Cutie Marks on her body. One mark that was a symbol related to french. However, he understood what she was saying. With his reality warping, he made himself able to understand any language spoken to him. He is also able to speak any language as well.

Asura said, "Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

Apple Bloom nodded and said, "Oui. Je me rappelle. J'ai obtenu ma marque Cutie, mais j'ai eu une autre et une autre. Applejack m'a pris pour voir si Twilight pourrait aider ce qui n'allait pas avec moi. Elle a dit que j'avais quelque chose appelé un "Pox Cutie" et qu'il n'y avait aucun remède pour lui. (Yes. I do remember. I got my Cutie mark but then I got another and another. Applejack took me to see if Twilight could help what was wrong with me. She said that I had something called a "Cutie Pox" and that there was no cure for it.)"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she becomes sad. Asura came by and sat besides her. He rubbed her head and said, "There is no such thing as no cure Apple Bloom. If we don't know what the cure is, it doesn't mean that it is incurable. We just have to search harder and we will eventually get results."

Apple Bloom smiled softly and said, "Merci Asura. Je ne sais toujours pas comment je suis arrivé ici. (Thank you Asura. I still don't know how I got here.)"

Asura said, "You were getting exhausted from continuously performing your talents so Twilight cast a sleep spell on you so you could rest. However, that didn't work as your body refused to stop. Applejack and Twilight then brought you to me for help. I numbed all of your muscles so that you could rest."

Apple Bloom said, "Oh. Je vous remercie. Que dois-je faire maintenant? (Oh. Thank you. So what should I do now?)"

Asura said, "For now, I brought you breakfast. You should eat and then wait for Twilight and Applejack to come here. Then we will go and meet with Zecora. She might have some knowledge about your illness."

Apple Bloom asked, "Tu ne peux pas me guérir comme tu l'as fait avec Scootaloo? (Can't you cure me like you did with Scootaloo?)"

Asura shook his head and said, "I can't cure you because there is nothing inside your body that is causing your illness. All I can conclude is that the magic in the air is effecting your body in someway. I'm sure that Zecora will have some method of fixing you up."

Apple Bloom nodded and then her stomach *Growl* grumbled making her blush. Asura took a spoon and picked some fired rice with it. He then brought the spoon to Apple Bloom's mouth.

Asura said, "Here you go. Eat."

Apple Bloom said, "Je peux me nourrir Asura. (I can feed myself Asura.)"

Asura shook his head and said, "With your muscles numbed, you can't. So I will be feeding you."

Apple Bloom pouted cutely and opened her mouth. Asura then began to spoon feed her. Apple Bloom moaned as delicious food entered her mouth. She kind of like being feed like this. She also began to start feeling something but ignored it as she was too busy eating his delicious food.

After feeding Apple Bloom, Asura said, "Do you want to eat more?"

Apple Bloom shook her head and said, "Non, je suis plein. C'était le meilleur petit déjeuner que j'ai jamais mangé. Qu'est-ce que c'était? (No. I'm full. That was the best breakfast I have ever eaten. What was it?)"

Asura said, "Rice fired in different vegetables and spices."

Apple Bloom said, "Cela ne sonne délicieux. (That does sound yummy.)"

Asura chuckled and said, "That it is. Now rest while we wait for Applejack and Twilight to arrive."

Apple Bloom then felt something again and this time she blush. She said, "Um Asura?"

Asura look at her and said, "Yes Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom look away and said, "Je ah je veux ah utiliser la salle de bains um. (I ah I want to ah use the um bathroom.)"

Asura's eyes widen at what she was asking. He first thought of asking the girls but they already left the house. Even Scootaloo. Only Asura and Apple Bloom were in the house. He began to overuse his brain to think of some way to help her.

Apple Bloom blushed and said, "Um Je dois utiliser la salle de bain mal. (Um I need to use the bathroom badly.)"

Asura came out of his thought and look at the filly. He sigh as it was going to be an awkward moment for him. He picked up Apple Bloom and took her to the bathroom. He closed his eyes and ... took off her skirt and then her ... underwear. Apple Bloom whole face and head blushed red. He then sat her on the toilet and left the room.

Asura said from the other side of the door, "um when you are done, um call me."

Apple Bloom was blushing as she quietly did her ... business. When she was done, she quietly said, "Um je suis fait. (Um I'm done.)"

Asura came in with his eyes closed and helped Apple Bloom stand up. He even used the water sprayer to ... clean her up. Then he put on her underwear and skirt and picked her up. He then lay her on his bed and waited silently for the arrival of Applejack and Twilight.

Apple Bloom's heart was beating fast as she kept on blushing. She was undressed by the human as she couldn't move her limbs. He even washed her. They both remained silent.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

The silent was broken by the knocking on the door. Asura went and open the door and Applejack and Twilight were there with worried faces.

Twilight said, "Good morning Asura."

Applejack said, "Good morning Asura. Is Apple Bloom okay?"

Asura said, "Good morning girls. Apple Bloom is fine. She is resting now. Wait here while I bring her."

Asura went to his room and said, "Apple Bloom. Twilight and Applejack are here. I am taking you to them."

He then lifted her which made her blush even more. Asura took her to her sister.

Applejack hugged her and said, "Apple Bloom! Your okay,"

Apple Bloom said, "Je suis bien Applejack. Asura m'a soigné. (I'm alright Applejack. Asura has been looking after me.)"

Applejack look at Asura in confusion and asked, "What's she say?"

Asura said, "She said I'm alright Applejack. Asura has been looking after me."

Applejack said, "Oh. Well thank you Asura for looking after her."

Asura smiled and said, "I don't mind at all Applejack. Apple Bloom is family to me. She is like a little sister to me."

This made Applejack and Apple Bloom smile. Twilight said, "Well, let's get going. The sooner we find Zecora, the sooner Apple Bloom can get cured."

They all nodded and went into the Everfree Forest. They reached Zecora's house and knocked on the door. The door opened and Zecora came out.

Zecora said, "Good morning my friends. Welcome to my home."

They greeted her and Applejack said, "Zecora. We need your help with something."

Zecora said, "What can I help you with?"

Applejack pointed towards her little sister and said, "Apple Bloom is suffering from Cutie Pox. Do you know anything that can help her?"

Zecora look at Apple Bloom and saw that she had several Cutie Marks on her body. She said, "Come in side."

They entered her house and look around. Applejack asked in hope, "So Zecora. Do you know anything about Cutie Pox? Any cure for it?"

Zecora nodded and said, "I do know what a Cutie Pox is and I also know a cure for it."

Applejack smiled and said, "Great! Apple Bloom can be cured! Can you give the cure to her?"

Zecora nodded and said, "I can give her the cure but first there is something I must know." She look at the filly with disapproving eyes which made Apple Bloom shrink a bit in Asura's arms.

Twilight asked, "Um what do you want to know Zecora?"

Zecora said, "I want to know what happened to my flower Heart Desire. Apple Bloom, tell me the truth."

Applejack look at her sister and said, "Apple Bloom. Why is she asking you that sort of thing?"

Apple Bloom was sweating from the look her big sister was giving her. She wanted to run away from this but stop when Asura spoke.

Asura said, "Apple Bloom. Just tell the truth and you will feel better. You have no need to fear."

Apple Bloom was silent for a while and then sigh. She said, "Je .. J'ai pris la fleur Désir coeur. J'ai utilisé la fleur pour me faire une potion pour obtenir mu Cutie Mark. Je suis désolé mais j'étais tellement désespéré d'avoir une marque Cutie. (I .. I took the flower Heart Desire. I used the flower to make myself a potion to get mu Cutie Mark. I'm sorry but I was just so desperate to get a Cutie Mark.)"

Asura translated, "She said I took the flower Heart Desire. I used the flower to make myself a potion to get mu Cutie Mark. I'm sorry but I was just so desperate to get a Cutie Mark."

Applejack look at her little sister with disapproving eyes and said, "Apple Bloom! Its not nice to take other people things without their permission."

Apple Bloom look down in sadness as tears welled in her eyes. She said, "Je suis désolé. (I'm sorry.)"

Asura said, "She said that she is sorry but don't be to hard on her Applejack."

Applejack asked, "Why shouldn't I be hard on her? She took Zecora's flower without her permission."

Asura smiled and said, "This is how young ones actually learn. When you tell them not to do things, they would do it. When they realize that what they did was wrong, they learn from it and avoid doing it in the future. So consider this and her Cutie Pox illness as her punishment."

Applejack face soften and look at Apple Bloom's sad face. She said, "Awww. I'm sorry to Apple Bloom." She then hugged her little sister.

Zecora look at Apple Bloom and smiled softly. She said, "Well, I can forgive you for using the flower without my permission but I am also surprised that you were able to make yourself a potion from it."

Apple Bloom blushed from her praise. Zecora then walk to a small pot and put her hand in it. Applejack said, "So can you give her the cure?"

Zecora nodded and took a pot with some dirt in it. She put the pot on a table and opened her hand. In her hands was one golden seed.

Zecora said, "This is a seed called Seeds of Truth."

Zecora buried the seed into the dirt of the pot. She then poured some water on it and said, "The flower grown from this seed has the cure in it."

Twilight said, "Really? Fascinating."

Applejack said, "A flower? That will takes weeks to grow."

Zecora shook her head and said, "The Seeds of Truth are different. For it does not require much time to grow. All it needs are some truth and it would grow instantly."

Applejack said, "You meant that if we spoke the truth then the flower would grow quickly?"

Zecora nodded. No one spoke for a while and Twilight said with a blush, "Um I ah I love Asura for his kindness for the girls."

A small stem grew out from the dirt. Applejack said, "Asura saved my granny's life. For that, I love him with all my heart."

The stem grew and a few leafs grew with it. Asura then said with a soft smile, "I was a lonely being in my world. Every step I took, darkness surrounded me. I had no friend, no one to love, no one to protect. I had nothing but ever since I arrived in this world, I have met beings who I can call friends. Then my friends became my light which driven away my darkness. They took a very special place in my heart. They became my hope. For that, I will forever love them. I will forever protect them. I will do whatever it takes to make them happy. For I truly love my friends."

The girls look at him with teary eyes. They know that he was speaking the truth because a beautiful flower grew from the pot that shine brightly. The room was brighten up from its light.

Applejack said, "Is this flower the cure?"

Zecora nodded and Twilight said, "Its so beautiful."

Applejack asked, "Now what to do with the flower?"

Zecora said, "Apple Bloom needs to eat it for the cure to work."

Asura nodded and walk towards the flower. He took the flower and brought it towards Apple Bloom's mouth. She opened her mouth and he put the flower inside. Before that, he took a DNA sample from the flower. Apple Bloom then ate the flower and everyone saw her Cutie Marks disappearing slowly. Soon, all of the Cutie Marks was gone. Apple Bloom was cured.

Apple Bloom asked, "Am I cured?"

Applejack said, "Hey! Your not speaking french anymore."

Apple Bloom eyes lit up and said, "I'm cured!" She tried to move but couldn't. She said, "I still can't move."

Asura said, "Allow me."

Virus seeped into her body and fixed her muscles. Apple Bloom was then able to move a bit and stand on her hooves. She jumped a bit and moved around her limbs to check them if they were okay. She was then hugged by Applejack.

Applejack said, "Oh Apple Bloom. Your okay."

Apple Bloom said, "Sorry Applejack."

Applejack said, "Its okay Apple Bloom. Your okay and that's all that matters."

Asura smiled at the site which warm his heart. However, there was something that he needs to know about this Cutie Pox. After seeing how troubled Apple Bloom was, it even reached the point where she was very exhausted. This was a life threatening disease.

Asura said, "Zecora. Is Cutie Pox contagious?"

Zecora shook her head and said, "No they are not. Only the one who is infect by it will suffer."

Asura nodded and asked, "How does one catch a Cutie Pox?"

Zecora said, "There are some rare flowers in the Everfree forest. If they are consumed, then you would get a Cutie Pox."

Apple Bloom said, "But weren't you using the Heart Desire for making a potion for the rooster?"

Zecora said, "That is true. Heart Desire is a flower that can give you Cutie Pox. However, when I was making the potion for the rooster's crowing, I put some sap from the Seeds Of Truth in the mixture. This will negate the effect of catching Cutie Pox."

Asura asked, "What does this Heart Desire looks like?"

Zecora pulled out a strange flower from a pot and showed it to him. She said, "This is a Heart Desire."

Asura nodded and said, "Thanks Zecora. Twilight. Mayor Mare needs to know this."

Twilight asked, "Okay but why does she needs to know about it?"

Asura said, "I have seen plenty of these flower growing around Ponyville. If any pony ate them, then they would get infect with the Cutie Pox."

Everyone's eyes widen at that and Applejack said, "But we don't have to worry about it. Zecora have the cure for it."

Zecora said, "The Seeds Of Truth are very rare Applejack. I have only three more and they are very hard to find within the Everfree Forest."

Twilight, Applejack and Apple Bloom's eyes widen at that. Three seeds. That means that she only has cure for three more.

Applejack asked, "Then what should we do about the flower around Ponyville? What if someone did ate them?"

Asura said, "Mayor Mare will tell the civilians of Ponyville to tear all of the Heart Desire from the village. This will make them cautious about the flower and prevents others and foals from eating them."

Zecora said, "But I need those flower. They are some of the ingredients I use in some of my potions."

Asura think about it and said, "Okay. How about this. I will tell Mayor Mare to gather all of the flowers and give them to you. You can then plant them in your house where they will stay safe."

Zecora nodded and said, "Thank you Asura. This way, I won't run out of Heart Desire for my potions."

Asura nodded and said, "Also, you said that you only have three Seeds Of Truth?"

Zecora nodded and he said, "I can help you with that. Give me one of the seeds."

Zecora took out one Seeds Of Truth and gave it to him. Asura took the seeds and his virus devoured it. Taking the seed's DNA, he took a container and put his hand on it. From his hand, several Seeds Of Truth began to fall into the container. He used the seed's DNA and combine it with his biomass to make more of the seeds.

The girls eyes widen as they see several Seeds Of Truth falling out of his hand and filling the container. After a while, the seeds stop coming out of his hand when the container was filled with them.

Asura said, "There you go Zecora. Now you don't have to worry about them running out. If they do then come to me. I will make more for you."

Zecora smiled and hugged him. She said, "Thank you Asura."

The girls hugged him and he hugged them back. After a while, he asked, "Zecora. I want to know something about the Cutie Pox."

Zecora said, "Yes. What do you want to know about it?"

Asura asked, "How do you know about the Cutie Pox? How did you know about its cure? When did the Cutie Pox came out?"

Zecora was silent when he asked those question. After a while she sigh and said, "My grandfather told me stories about the origin of Cutie Pox. According to him, a long time ago there were some villages near the Everfree forest."

Twilight asked, "What? Villages near the Everfree forest? How could they survive with all of the dangerous beast roaming around?"

Zecora said, "Grandfather said that there were special flowers that release a scent the beast did not like. These flowers are what kept the beast from attacking the villages near the Everfree forest. According to grandfather, only Earth ponies lived in the villages. Another thing about them was that they didn't had any Cutie Mark, nor did they know anything about them."

Apple Bloom asked, "How could they not know about Cutie Marks?"

Zecora said, "It was a really long time ago when Cutie Marks wasn't known about. The ponies in the villages lived happily and did trade with the villages. However, one day, it all changed. Trade from other villages stopped. No one came from the other villages. Worried about their neighboring villages, one village sent out a group of ponies to see what was the problem. When they reached one village, they were horrified to see everyone dead."

Horror took hold of the girls but Asura wasn't fazed by it. He already knew where this story was going, so he simply listened to her story.

Apple Bloom asked in fear, "H-how did they d-died?"

Zecora said, "After investigating the dead ponies, the group found out that they died of exhaustion."

Twilight asked, "How can that be?"

Zecora said, "From what grandfather told me is that the dead ponies bodies were covered in various Cutie Marks. It was the Cutie Pox. The infected ponies were forced to perform their talents. Due to this, the-"

Twilight said, " .. their bodies kept on performing talents until they died of exhaustion? Is that right?"

Zecora nodded and Applejack hugged her little sister in fear. She said, "Is that what was going to happen to Apple Bloom?"

Another nod from Zecora made the girls fearful. Asura said, "What happened after they found the cause of their deaths?"

Zecora said, "The group of ponies also investigated the other villages and found them dead from the same illness. When they returned to their village, they told the village chief about the horror of what they saw. The village chief was so horrified and scared about the Cutie Marks that he told the ponies of his village about it. He told them that it was a horrible curse and needs to be vary about them. The villagers were so scared that they even stopped leaving the village. They all rejected the Cutie Mark. Then one horrible day, one pony of the village got a Cutie Mark. This made the rest of the villagers scared and out of fear, they killed the poor pony."

The girls gasped in horror. To kill a pony just for getting a Cutie Mark? That was horrible.

Applejack asked, "What happened to them?"

Zecora said, "According to grandfather, the ponies of the village were punished by the Everfree forest. The forest came alive and swallowed the entire village and everyone in it. The village simply disappeared from the face of Equestria."

Silent took hold of the air. The girls were horrified and scared at the story. Asura on the other hand was angered by this. If he ever find this village, then he would give them a piece of his mind. ... wait.

A village in the Everfree forest? Zecora living in the Everfree forest? Ponyville near the Everfree forest? His friends near the Everfree forest?

A chill ran down his spine which made him gasp. His instinct was telling him to be very very alert from now on. Something ... evil resides in the Everfree forest that is a threat to his friends. He needs to be vigilant for this kind of evil.

The girls heard him gasp and saw him thinking heavily with a shock face. Twilight asked, "Asura. Are you okay?"

Asura came out of his thought and said, "Yes I am fine Twilight."

Applejack said, "You looked like you were thinking something. What was it?"

Asura said, "Well, my instinct just told me something bad is coming in the future. Hearing this story made me put on my guard."

Apple Bloom said, "But that's just a story right?"

Asura said, "Be it a story or not. Why I am on high alert is that my instinct are telling me to be prepare for something bad to happen. And my instinct are never wrong."

The girls were now worried about him. They knew that he was right about this stuff as they too feel some sort of disturbance in the air.

Zecora said, "We must heed Asura's warning. He is never wrong about this kind of stuff."

Applejack hugged her little sister tightly and said, "Yeah. After hearing that kind of story is giving me the shiver."

Twilight said, "Okay. We'll head home. Bye Zecora."

The girls left the house. Asura look at Zecora and thought that she was alone in this forest. How would she defend is someone attacked her since she is alone? He got an idea and mentally ordered the Timber Wolfs to come here.

Asura said, "Zecora. I am not comfortable with leaving you here alone. So I called a lot of Timber Wolfs to patrol around your house. Where ever you go, they would follow you and keep you safe. You can also tell them what to do."

Zecora smiled and nodded. She was too getting a bit scared as she felt the disturbance in the air. Now she was thankful that she had Timber Wolfs protecting her.

Zecora hugged him and said, "Thank you for looking out for me Asura. But how many Timber Wolds are there around my house?"

Asura lead her out of her house and shored her. Zecora's eyes widen and her jaw dropped at what she saw. There, around her house, were about 5000 Timber Wolfs moving around. Zecora was really overwhelmed by the huge numbers of Timber Wolfs.

Asura said, "They will all protect you and follow your orders. Also." he then created some infected insects that flew around her house.

Asura said, "The insects will also tell me about any sort of danger that comes here."

Zecora was taken back by his over protection but she like it how he want's to protect her. She kissed him and thanked him. Twilight, Applejack and Apple Bloom were looking at the hoard of Timber Wolfs in shock and awe. To see them not attacking them was really strange.

Asura came towards them and said, "Okay girls. Lets head back to Ponyville."

The girls said 'goodbye' to Zecora and left to Ponyville. However, if they would have look closely at their surrounding, they would have seen a small white transparent figure hiding behind a tree and watching them leave. The figure smiled with hope when she saw the human and left.

A Few Days Later

For a few days, Ponyville was met with now trouble. Asura told Mayor Mare about the Cutie Pox caused by the strange flower Heart Desire. Mayor Mare was alarmed that the illness would cause the infected to die from exhaustion. She wanted to destroy them but Asura said that as long as they are not eaten, they are harmless. He also told them that he would give a Cutie Pox cure to the hospital if anyone accidentally eaten the flower. She was happy with it.

Asura also requested Mayor Mare to help him collect every Heart Desire in Ponyville. When asked what he needs the flowers for, he said that they are for Zecora for making healing potions. She accepted his request and told a group of ponies to help in gathering the flowers. While the ponies were busy in collecting the flowers, Asura went to the hospital and met with Redheart. She hugged him and talk to him. She found out why he came and was thankful that he came to give them a cure about the illness.

When the flowers were collected, three crates were made from them. Asura wanted to take them to Zecora but Twilight came and asked, "Asura. Can I take them to Zecora myself?"

Asura asked, "Why Twilight?"

Twilight said, "I took some books from Zecora and I need to return them to her. Since I am already going to her, I can also take the creates and give to her myself."

Asura nodded and said, "Okay Twilight. Just be careful."

Twilight smiled and kissed him. She said, "I will. I know you would protect us,"

Twilight levitated the crates and went towards the Everfree Forest. Asura wasn't worried about her since he trained her in magic and teaching her offensive and defensive magic. She can take care of herself but just in case, he released some infected insects and ordered them to follow her and keep an eye on her.

10 Minutes Earlier

The CMC were crusading near Fluttershy's house and were having fun. They spend the whole day doing various activities in order to find their Cutie Mark.

Scootaloo said, "That was just awesome!"

Sweetie Belle said, "Yeah that really was funny! Hehehehe"

Apple Bloom said, "I don't know about you girls but this seemed kinda useless."

Scootaloo said, "Oh Apple Bloom, don’t be such a naysayer! We almost got our cutie marks this time!"

Sweetie Belle said, "Well, maybe it was a bit dangerous though."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes and said, "Oh come on Sweetie Belle. You agreed with me just a minute ago! It was so thrilling when the bear jumped out of the bush and started to chase us when we throw a pie in his face! That was halarious!”

Sweetie Belle said, "I don't know Scootaloo. I mean that was Fluttershy's friend Harry. What you did was mean to him."

Scootaloo scoffed and said, "Oh come on. That wasn't mean. In fact, the bear like it. Did you see him eating the pie that I threw at his face?"

Sweetie Belle said, "It was still mean Scootaloo. And scary."

Scootaloo then ran in front of the filly and took a predator stance that only made her look cute. She said, "But if I wouldn’t have been around by then" She pounced on Sweetie Belle and roared "Gggrrrraaaaahhhhhh!"

Sweetie Belle squeaked, "Kyaaaaa! Scootaloo!"

Scootaloo laugh and got off of her and said, "See? Scootaloo saves the day!"

Apple Bloom scoffed and said, "Oh come on Scootaloo. Even you ran away like a little chicken when the bear started to charge towards us!"

Scootaloo blushed and stammered, "That's not true! I uh, just wanted to ... I mean ..."

Apple Bloom grinned and sang, "Scootaloo is a chicken. Scootaloo is a chicken."

Scootaloo didn't like it and she lunge at her and pushed both of them down a small hill. They both rolled with each other as they struggled to push each other away.

Sweetie Belle screamed in fear, "Apple Bloom! Scootaloo!"

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both rolled down the small hill. On their way down, they were grazed by some stones and other things but not enough to make a wound. As they were rolling down the hill, they were both arguing with each other.

Apple Bloom said, "Ouch! Scoot you gha stupid chicken! You are ah such a DODO!"

Scootaloo said, "Stop calling ow me a DODO! Ouch! And I ekk am not a ag chicken anymore!"

Soon both fillies arrived at the ground As they smashed against the dirt, they both were rolled apart from each other. They lay down as they catch their breaths. Soon, they began to laugh.

Scootalo said, "That was awesome!"

Apple Bloom said, "Yeah! Lets do that again!"

Sweetie Belle came down with a very worried expression. She asked in a worried tone, "Scootaloo! Apple Bloom! Are you two alright?"

However, her worry turned to confusion when she saw them laughing instead of moaning in pain.

Sweetie Belle asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Isn’t anyone hurt?"

Scootaloo jumped back on her hooves and said with a smirk, "Don’t worry about me Sweetie Belle. Do you really believe such a small pity hill could harm me?"

She then dusted her clothes and removed any dirt from her hair and fur. Sweetie Belle then asked, "Oh. What about you Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom stand up and stretched her limbs. She said, "Don’t worry Sweetie Belle. I'm alright. Just have a bit of dirt in my fur."

Scootaloo said, "Alright girls. It's getting dark and Asura told me to not be in the forest at this time. Its dangerous. Lets go home."

Sweetie Belle look at the sky and saw night approaching. She said in fear, "Y-you're right Scootaloo. You're coming too, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom said, "Yeah, but I am going to take a shortcut this time. Applejack wanted me to help her bring in today’s apple harvest into the barn."

Sweetie Belle said, ""Oh. Okay then Apple Bloom. Have a sweet dream and-”

Scootaloo cut her of and said, "Come on Sweetie Belle! The first filly who reach their home wins!"

Scootaloo then dashed away while leaving behind a confused looking Sweetie Belle. She said, "W-wait Scootaloo! That’s not fair! Your home is closer then mine! Your cheating!"

Sweetie Belle then started chasing Scootaloo. Soon, both the fillies disappeared at the horizon, leaving behind Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom chuckled at Sweetie Belle reaction. She said, "Poor Sweetie Belle. Oh well, lets go home before sis gets more worried about me."

Apple Bloom then walk down the empty and silent road to Sweet Apple Acre. The sun was slowly setting and stained the sky into a beautiful orange-red color. Thanks to the Pegasus, there was not a single cloud in the sky. The site was marvelous. The grass around her sway from cool breeze that were blowing softly through her hair. It was just a amazing autumn evening.

While walking, she was thinking about her Cutie Mark. After going through making a potion and getting a Cutie Pox, she started to wonder if she ever get one. Asura did say that when the time is right, the Cutie Mark will appear and that she would find her own special talent in life. She was sad that almost every foal in Ponyville has gotten their Cutie Marks. Except the CMC.

Even though, after all of that, the fillies friendship and adventures meant more to her than just a simple Cutie Mark. She loved her friends and family. And .... Asura.

Apple Bloom stop and blushed at the thought. She shook her head and continued walking. Why would she think like that? Does it have something to do with what happened at his house? Maybe. For now, she pushed those thoughts away and continued walking but something alarmed her.

Apple Bloom said in panic, "Darn it! I forgot that Applejack is waiting for me! She would get more worried the more I am late!"

The sun almost disappeared and Applejack surely was waiting for her. She ran down the road and soon she arrived at a T-shaped crossroad. An old looking sign-post was stuck in the ground. She stopped to look at both signs adorning it:

[Left Ever Free Forest] [ Ponyville Right]

She was about to take a right turn when "Oh good evening Apple Bloom! What are you doing here?" A voice spoke from her right side.

Apple Bloom turn and saw that it was Twilight Sparkle who was coming from Ponyville. She was also levitating three crates with her along with some books. She said, "Hey Twilight! I was on my way to my house. You’ll never guess what we did today!"

Apple Bloom began to tell Twilight all about today's crusading. She said, "So this morning, we were at the park today. There, we were all just hanging around ..."

Twilight tried to interrupt Apple Bloom’s story, "That’s quite alright Apple Bloom, I was just…" but the filly continued.

Apple Bloom continued, " ... but then Scootaloo was all like CMC Park Rangers!"

Twilight again tried to interrupt her, "Well I’m sure you had-"

Apple Bloom continued. "... and then she said 'That’s not what a bear sounds like!"

After a few more minutes, Twilight said, "Apple Bloom! I uh, I’m sorry but I really have to get going! It's getting dark so you should head back home now. Take care now okay?" Twilight turned around and went down the left path, leading right into the Everfree Forest.

Apple Bloom finished her story with a chuckle, "… Every. Last. One! Can you believe that!?"

She look around and realized that Twilight had already walked away. She quickly walk after her and asked, "Hey Twilight. Where are you going?"

Twilight said, "I took some books from Zecora about the plant life and herbs of the Everfree forest. I want to return them back to her and also, I brought these crates that are full of Heart Desire.

Apple Bloom nervously looked up again to the almost disappeared sun. It was almost dark. She was afraid that her big sister would be angry at her for being late. She thought about it and got a great idea. If she could spend some time with Twilight, then that will give her a good alibi so that her sister would not be angry at her anymore.

Twilight said, "I better hurry. I rather get home before it's dark."

Apple Bloom asked with a very sweet and bright smile, "Oh! Twilight! Can I come with you too?"

Twilight was startled by this and stopped walking. She look at Apple Bloom in shock and said, "I-I’m sorry Apple Bloom, but the Everfree Forest is no place for a young filly like you!"

Apple Bloom really wanted to be with Twilight that would give her an excuse to being late. She then did the cute puppy dog eyes and said in the cutest sound ever that would made any grown human a heart awe-tack, "Ah'll be extra careful! Oh please, please, please?"

Twilight nervously tried to block her cuteness and said, "I-I don’t think-”

Apple Bloom cutely asked, "Pluuuuuuueeeeeeeeee..."

Twilight said, "Its just too-"

"... eeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."

"There are many-"

"... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."

Twilight finally broke from the filly's cute attack and said, "Alright! Alright! You can come with me! But! You must promise me to stay close to me at all time you hear?"

Apple Bloom said in glee, "Yes! Thank you Twilight! Lets go! Lets go!"

Apple Bloom was so excited that she ran ahead of Twilight, leaving her behind. Twilight said, "Apple Bloom! Wait! Slow down! Remember what you've promised me!"

Apple Bloom blush a bit and said, "Oh right. um, sorry Twilight!”

Twilight and Apple Bloom then took the left turn and walk towards the Everfree forest. They both continued and began to travel through the Everfree Forest. Twilight lead the way and as deeper they went through the Everfree forest, the more nervous they grew. Twilight was getting a bit jumpy scared with every step she took as her eyes look at her surrounding.

Apple Bloom said, "Um, Twilight?"

Twilight jumped at the voice and look towards the filly, "Great Celestia! Please, don’t startle me like that Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom said, "Are you really afraid Twilight? I mean, you are the greatest magician in Ponyville."

"Well, ever since Asura has been helping me with magic training, I become more powerful than before. Even Trixie is on my level with his help. I should be more than enough to stand against some ghost and monsters."

Apple Bloom walk forward but due to the darkness, she couldn't see the incoming cliff. Twilight shouted, "Watch out Apple Bloom!"

However, it was too late for Apple Bloom who fell from the cliff an into the deep darkness.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

She stop screaming when she felt that she wasn't falling anymore. She opened her eyes and saw that she was enveloped in purple aura. Twilight managed to cast a levitation spell on the filly as she fell. She then pulled Apple Bloom back and onto the solid ground.

Apple Bloom couldn't process what happened. She look beyond the cliff and her eyes widen at what she saw.

Apple Bloom said in disbelief, "What the hay?!"

There, in front of her was a gigantic dark abyss. It seemed to be bottomless. Nothing to see except for a giant empty dark space"

Twilight sigh in relief and said, "That was close. Thanks to Asura training, I was able to cast a levitation spell on you. Are you alright Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom said fearfully, "Y-yeah. I'm o-okay. What are we going to do now Twilight?"

Twilight looked around and tried to find a way over the abyss. The other side was too far away to jump, neither was there any way around it. This was really strange. Just a few days ago, they reached Zecora's house with ease but now, the whole surroundings looked different. Like the forest changed its path or something.

“ ... Blank ... ” A voice spoke.

“Huh?” Apple Bloom heard the voice and look around to see who it was but couldn't find anyone besides them. She was at least able to recognize the voice to be a female voice. A filly's voice.

Twilight saw something and said, "Apple Bloom! Look over there!"

Twilight pointed towards a direction. When Apple Bloom looked in that direction, she saw a huge tree which was placed like a bridge between the two sides of the abyss.

Twilight said, "A tree? how can that be there? Just a few minutes ago, it wasn't there! Who could have placed it there in such a short time?"

Apple Bloom said in fear, "Do you think it ... it was a ghost?"

This made Twilight chuckled and said, "Oh Apple Bloom. Don’t be silly. Ghosts doesn’t exist. It surely was Zecora. She is a magician too you know. So don’t worry. It seems to be stable enough to pass. Let's go. It's almost dark."

They continued their journey to Zecora's home. They then passed through a small road between some big rocks. It was getting darker and the wind stopped blowing. This made the Everfree forest the become silent and colder and scarier. After a while, they finally arrived at Zecora.s house. There were also many Timber Wolfs laying around as they were ordered to protect her.

Apple Bloom walked towards the house and knocked on the door. She didn't mind the Timber Wolfs as she already know that they follow Asuar's orders. Zecora opened the door and welcomed them.

Zecora said, "Welcome my friends. What brings you two here?"

Twilight said, "Hey Zecora. I came to return your books to you. Also, brought you three crates filled with Heart Desires."

Twilight gave her the books and put the crates inside her house. Zecora said, "Thank you Twilight. With this, I won't run out of ingredients for a long time."

Twilight smiled and said, "Glad to help."

“... Blank ...”

Apple Bloom heard the voice again and so did Zecora. Her face suddenly became serious.

Twilight saw her serious face and asked, "Hm? What's wrong Zeco-"

Zecora cut her off and said, "Twilight. Apple Bloom. You both must return back to Ponyville right now. Its not safe here for you two. Get out of this forest before darkness take holds of it!"

With that, Zecora slammed shut her door and locked it. The nearby Timber Wolfs stood up and began to patrol around her house, like they were searching for something.

Apple Bloom asked, "What did she mean by that?"

Twilight said, "I don’t know Apple Bloom, but we should heed her warning. Come on. We better hurry up and go home."

They both then began to back track. Soon, the sun was gone and darkness overcame the Everfree forest. The forest became silence and much colder than before. The moon shine above the forest, giving a small amount of light for Twilight and Apple Bloom to see where they were going. After walking for a whle, they reached a narrow road but found something blocking it.

Twilight said, "What in god's name?!"

Apple Bloom asked, "What's that?"

She look ahead of Twilight and found a huge tree trunk blocking the way between the two rocks! It was way too high to climb and too thick to push it away.

Twilight said, "How in Equestria did this tree came here? I didn’t even heard a sound."

Apple Bloom shivered and said, "Maybe it was ... a ghost?"

Twilight look at the filly and laugh. She said, "Oh silly. I already told you that there aren't such things as ghosts. Never mind. Lets see what we have here.”

Twilight then began to examine the trunk and said, "Hmm. Maybe I could to carry it away with a bit magic. Stay behind me Apple Bloom!"

Twilight used her magic to envelop the entire tree trunk and began to levitate it. Twilight seemed to be really strained as beads of sweat roll down her forehead. With a sway of her head, she threw the tree trunk far away into the forest. Twilight then sat down on the dirt in order to catch her breath.

Apple Bloom saw her amazing feat and said in awe, "Wow! Twilight that was awesome!"

Twilight said, "Thanks! Phew. It wasn’t easy, but now we-"

*Crack* *Crack* *Thud* *Thud* *Crack* *Thud* *Crack* *Thud*

Twilight screamed in annoyance, "Oh come on!"

When Twilight removed the tree trunk, several more fell and completely blocked the road. It was nearly impossible to get pass them. Even if they tried to climb it.

Twilight sigh and said, "Well, don’t worry. I am going to get us out of here. Stay right there Apple Bloom. This will take some time."

Twilight began to levitate a tree trunk and throw it away. Then the next one and the next one and the next one. She moved away about 27 of the huge tree trunks and found out that she could still go on. This was thanks to Asura's helping her with her magic training. She is very thankful for his help. After about 51 tree trunks, Twilight sat on the dirt and took a brake.

Twilight panted and said, "Hah, hah, hah ... Almost ... done!"

She was really exhausted from moving that much tree trunks. However, there seems to be no end to the number of tree trunks that blocked their path.

" ... Blank ..."

Apple Bloom heard this voice again and it came from behind her. She quickly turned around and saw someone.

Apple Bloom said, "A Pony!"

Apple Bloom saw a beautiful grey Earth pony. Just like her. She also looked to be the same age as her. She had sweet orange mane with blond and had orange eyes.

The new filly spoke, "Blank"

Then she walk through a space between two trees and disappeared. Apple Bloom was confused by this as she don't remember seeing that void before she first arrived here.

Apple Bloom said, "Hey Twilight! There's-"

Twilight cur her off and said, "Not now Apple Bloom. I have to concentrate on these tree trunks if we need to get out of here."

Apple Bloom tried again, "But-"

Twilight said, "Please. Just wait there okay? I'll do my best!"

She was too busy to listen to her as she was moving the trunks away. Apple Bloom became sad and look at the space between the trees where the filly went through. Think that there might be another way to get out of this forest, she decided to see where it goes. She then walk through the space. Unknown to her, a few insects followed her as well.

Apple Bloom asked in the darkness, "Hello? Who are you?"

As she walk, there was just darkness surrounded her. So dark, that even the moon and the stars were gone. The forest was silent and was cold. After a while of walking around in the darkness, she gave up finding the filly and turned back towards the entrance. Only to find it ... gone!

Apple Bloom look around and said in fear, "What is happening here? Twilight? Twilight!"

She then began to look for another way out. She saw how different the trees looked. Like this place that she was in didn't belonged to Equestria anymore.

" ... Blank ..."

Apple Bloom heard the voice again and said, "Well okay then. If I can’t go back, then I will find that pony instead! Maybe she knows a way outta here!"

She then began to walk towards the sound. The echo of that voice was getting louder and louder with every step she took.

Apple Bloom asked, "Are you out there?"

She didn't find her. She continued to walk and suddenly she felt that the ground beneath her felt muddy. She look down and saw that the green grass was gone and the coldness of her surrounding raised. She continued to walk through the forest and a thick fog was starting to grow to. This fog took away her sight and scared her as well. She continued to follow the sound of the voice but it disappeared and silence took hold of the air.

Now Apple Bloom was getting very scared. She was alone and surrounded by trees and fog. She was alone in the darkness of the Everfree Forest. Tears began to fall from her eyes. She didn't know what to do and continued to walk. The fog grew bigger and bigger and soon, she was blinded by this. Then suddenly a cool breeze blew that cleared some of the fog.

Apple Bloom look around and said, "What is going on here? Who is there?"

Apple Bloom finally saw something. She saw a light at the end of the path. As she come closer to the light, she heard soft music. If there is music then that means that someone must be living here. Hope filled her and she ran towards the light and music. When she finally reached the light, she exited the forest, but not into her village Ponyville like she was expecting.

Instead, Apple Bloom found herself in a completely new town. She look around and found that this village was completely surrounded by the borders of the Ever Free forest. Apple Bloom was really shocked by what she saw. Several lanterns were hung all over the town that illuminated it brightly. She look to her left and saw multiple garden plots filled with vegetables and wheat. She look to her right and saw a long line of tables overflowing with all sorts of confections and drinks.

She could not believe what she was seeing. This village was really beautiful. She said, "That’s amazing!"

Apple Bloom then look in front of her and saw an Earth pony stallion coming towards her with a smile. He was colored grey with black mane and tail.

The stallion walk closer to the filly and said with a huge smile, "Well hello there little filly. Welcome to Sunny Town!”

Apple Bloom was somewhat uncomfortable by his smile but she didn't want to show him that. So she forced a smile and said, "Um, thanks but ... who are you anyway?"

The stallion introduced himself with a smile, "Oh right. Pardon me young lady. Grey Hoof at your service. Celebration planner extraordinaire!"

This stallion acted like Pinkie Pie which gave Apple Bloom a shiver down the spine. What would happened if they meet each other? Total calamity. Grey Hoof saluted and jumped over to the picnic tables and continued to speak.

He said, "The party just started! Please help yourself with food and drinks. We have cakes, cookies, cupcakes, muffins and-"

Apple Bloom asked, "Wait, wait, wait. Um, sorry but I have a question ... "

Grey looked confused but then he smiled and said, "Oh okay. What is it little lady?"

Apple Bloom said, "Um, I was searching for a, um, never mind."

She didn't want to bother him about a filly that probably doesn’t even existed.

Grey hoof laugh at her act and said, "You're a silly filly. I like that! You know, it's not often that we get visitors out here, so enjoy your stay okay?”

He then left her alone. Apple Bloom look around and found happy ponies. She went to the food table and found many delicious treats. She picked one and took a bite out of it. She immediately spit the food out of her mouth. She wipe her tongue with her hand while making 'eww' or gross sound. She look at the food in disgust and confusion.

Apple Bloom said, "How can something that looks so good tasted so bad. Ugh."

Apple Bloom put the food back on the tale and walk through the village. She saw several vegetables and fruits fields. She walk around and found a white mare standing beside a picnic table. Her beautiful long red mane ranged to the ground and her shiny white fur was finely brushed. This pony looked just like Rarity, so graceful and vain. However, the filly saw how sad she looked. She was silently crying as she state at the ground.

Apple Bloom was sad just from looking at her like this. So she walk towards her in hope of asking why she was crying and maybe cheer her up.

Apple Bloom said, "Um sorry, miss? Is everything alright?"

The mare didn't responded to her question. She didn't even noticed the filly. After a few seconds, she began to mumble, "He hasn’t said a word to me all night ..."

Apple Bloom heard her but couldn't make any sense from it. She asked, "Um miss? Miss!?"

This got her attention who look at her with wide eyes. She said, "Oh? What do we have here? A cute little filly. I don’t know you, are you a visitor?"

Apple Bloom said, "Yes, I am. Oh and may I say that your village is just beautiful! It's just like my home back in Ponyville.”

The mare said with a smile, "Is that so? Hahaha. Well, you are a very lucky filly, having such a nice home I mean. Of course feel free to make yourself at home here, too."

Apple Bloom chuckled and said, "Thanks I will.”

The mare said, "No problem sweetie. Oh my where are my manners? May I introduce myself. My name is Starlet, the beautiful white diamond of this town.”

Apple Bloom introduced herself, "Nice to meet you. I am Apple Bloom. One of the founders of the CMC!"

Starlet laugh and said, "How cute you are darling and that pink ribbon on your head is just so adorable!"

She petted the filly's head which made Apple Bloom chuckled and said, "Thanks again miss Starlet. Um, may ah ask you something?"

Starlet said with a smile, "Sure darling. What's the matter?"

Apple Bloom said, "You seemed to be very sad a few minute ago and were also crying. Is everything alright?"

This made her smile faded away and she became sadder. She said, "Oh well, um, you see that pony over there?" She pointed towards a stallion and said, "His name is Roneo. He, well, I thought he likes me and he wants to ask me out tonight, but.... Nah, it doesn’t matter. It's not your problem honey. Go and have some fun okay? But thanks for asking. I really appreciate it darling.”

Starlet smiled and began to drink her punch.Apple Bloom look at the stallion and said, "Roneo, huh?"

She recognize this as a romantic matter. She look around and saw that the moon light was shining on the village, making it even more beautiful.

Apple Bloom's thought stop when she realize something. She look up to the sky and saw the moon was there again. How can that be? Just a few minutes ago, the moon wasn't there. She was beginning to become more uncomfortable now. She wanted to distract her mind with some, so she look around and found it.

Apple Bloom found another sad looking stallion who was just standing in front of a big house not far from the mare. She then walk towards him and said, "Hey you!"

The stallion didn't react to her. She look at him closely and saw that he had a lightly orange fur and a short blue mane which covered one of his eyes.

Roneo look at her and hesitantly said, " ... hi."

Apple Bloom asked, "Everything alright?"

Roneo said sadly, "Oh, nothing." After a while of silence, he said, "Fine. I'll tell you. That pony over there, Starlet, the beautiful white pony. I was going to give her a gift tonight as a proof of my l-lo-um ... B-but, I lost it! It's nowhere to be found! It was so pretty... just like her. She loves diamonds and jewels you know?" He began to cry at the end.

'I never would have guessed' thought Apple Bloom. She patted his back and said, "Don’t worry. I'll find it for you."

Roneo look at her with teary eyes and said, "W-would you really do that for me?"

Apple Bloom smiled and said, "Sure why not? I'll give you my word as a member of the CMC!"

Roneo smiled and said, "That’s wonderful! Thank you dear filly. Thank you very much!"

Apple Bloom asked, "So ... where did you lost it?"

Roneo think for a while and said, "Oh, wait a second. I think it was over there. I was running down that street when I suddenly tripped over a stone or something like that. I fell hard but I’m okay. Just my bag was empty when I checked it a few minutes ago."

Apple Bloom smiled and said, "Okay. I'll start my investigations over there the-”

She was cut off when suddenly crying sound came from inside the house. It was a female crying. She asked, "Um, excuse me but is there another pony inside of that house?”

Roneo expression turned from a smile to a shocked state. He said, "Errr, um n-no i-it is just, um ... please hurry up! Starlet is getting sadder with every minute!"

He tired to change the subject. Apple Bloom said, "But-"

Roneo pleaded, "Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaassssssse?"

Apple Bloom huffed and said, "Okay okay. Wait here."

She then began to search around the village for the jewel. She checked every stone, every well and every bush, but couldn't find anything related to a jewel. In her search, she found another stallion. He was brown with a very short and cheeky orange mane and then she noticed something strange. His flank was blank! Was it maybe just a coincidence?

Apple Bloom wanted to ask him about it but she saw him sleeping on a big haystack. His hooves were behind his head and his eyes were closed. Around him were some of the Dimmed lanterns and a few unfinished decorations.

Apple Bloom said, "Hey. Um ... hello?”

The stallion didn't respond to her question and slept. She tried again, "Helloooooooo?"

The stallion said with his eyes closed, "I can hear you! Leave me alone Grey! I already told you that I'll hang the decorations and lanterns once I'm done with my nap!"

Apple Bloom said, "Um, noooo? My name is Apple Bloom."

This made the stallion open his eyes and saw the filly. He said, "Oh, sorry. I thought you were that crazy colt Grey. He's really funny, kind and stuff, but a bit annoying too you know?"

Apple Bloom look at the decorations and asked, "Oh and what's with all those decorations around here? Didn’t ya' promised to hang them?"

The stallion shrug his shoulder and said, "Yeah maybe I did, but I also trained the whole day for the big race airing this weekend. I’m totally tired and I need my nap. You see, without my nap I would never be able to make the first place again."

Apple Bloom said, "Oh? You're a racing champion?"

The stallion jumped out of the hay and stand on his hooves. He said with pride, "Are your kidding me? I’m the Gladstone! The fastest Pony in whole Equestria!"

Apple Bloom said in awe, "Really? That’s awesome! You definitely have to race against my friend Rainbow Dash sometime! She's very, very, fast!"

Gladstone raised one of his eyebrows and started to laugh. He said, "Sure, anytime! Just tell when she's ready to lose!"

Apple Bloom said, "Alright."

Gladstone said, "Great. Good night!"

He then lay beck on the haystack and closed his eyes.

Apple Bloom said, “Um sorry, but there’s one more thing ah wanted to ask you."

Gladstone opened his eyes and look at her. He said, "What now? Spit it out little one. I want to sleep a bit till Grey arrives again."

Apple Bloom asked, "Okay. So, how come all of you don’t have any cutie marks?"

Gladstone just silently state at the filly for a while and then said with a smile, "Cutie whats? Heh. Sorry little filly. I have no clue what you're talking about. I'll go back to sleep again, okay? Enjoy the party little one!"

He closed his eyes and fell asleep. Apple Bloom was now confused by his answer. How could someone of his age never even heard about cutie marks? Everyone should have at least heard about it. She ignored him and continued searching for that jewel. As she search around, she found another Earth pony mare. This one had green color fur with dark green hair and was sitting by the edge of the forest.

Apple Bloom wanted to find answers about why no one knew about Cutie Mark. She walk towards the green mare and said with a forced smile, "Hello. I am Apple Bloom and i didn’t know there was an entire town of ponies living in the middle of the Everfree forest."

The green mare giggled and patted Apple Bloom on the head. She said, "Well, you’re not the first visitor to say that little one. My name’s Three Leaf. We’ve got just about everything we need here in our town, so we rarely ever leave. Visitors are so nice when they manage to come by though, and they too rarely leave once they arrive. How are you enjoying it here?”

Apple Bloom said, "Its really nice here. You guys are all so nice, and the food was delicious! But I was wondering … I couldn’t help but notice none of y’all have any Cutie Marks. Why is that?”

Three Leaf tilted her head in confusion and said, "Cutie Marks? What are those?

Apple Bloom sighed and said, "Never mind." She then decided to take a new approach. She look atound and saw Gladstone. She pointed at him and asked, "How about him. What happened to his flanks?"

Three Leaf’s face remained the same but the filly saw her eye twitch ever so slightly. She stammer, "Oh … Gladstone? Hmmmm. Well … you know that he is very um clumsy. And um and Oh yes! He was fixing the old well on the outer rim of the town. He’s probably the best repair stallion we have. But ah he slipped and cut himself on a jagged rock in the wall of the well. He bled quite a bit but thankfully somepony found him. He couldn’t walk for a month."

Apple Bloom look at her in suspicion which made her sweat and said, "So Gladstone is a good repair pony huh? Then tell me. Why has he not gotten a cutie mark for that?"

Three Leaf seemed to shrink from the question. Apple Bloom saw this and she took the oppertunity to find answers. Apple Bloom glare at the mare and said, "What about those visitors you mentioned earlier? Did they all arrive here without any Marks on their flanks? I highly doubt it."

As Apple Bloom was asking a lot of question, Three Leaf back peddled into the tree line. With her back now pressed fully against a tree trunk Three Leaf’s eyes darted back and forth to see if there was anyone nearby. She sigh and motioned Apple Bloom to come closer and spoke to her in whisper.

Three Leaf whispered, "Look, you won’t like what might happen if you keep digging. The curse marks are evil, and no one in the town is allowed to discuss them. I could get in trouble for even mentioning them to you-“

“Oh, there you are Three Leaf. Would you mind giving me a hand with these party lanterns please?"

Grey Hoof appeared behind them while he was carrying some more pink lanterns. He was smiling but the filly saw that his eyes meant something else.

Three Leaf immediately stand away from the filly and said almost in fear, "Of course Grey Hoof. Think nothing of it. I was just talking with our little visitor here, but we can always continue the conversation later."

Three Leaf then followed Grey Hoof and they went away. Before the two got out of the filly's sight, she clearly saw Grey Hoof glaring at Three Leaf. With a sigh, Apple Bloom continued her search for the jewel. After searching for some time, she finally found it. She found a magnificent big red gem behind some rocks.

Apple Bloom said, "Oh my gosh!"

She took the gem and ran back to Roneo who was standing in front of his house door. He asked in hope,"D-did you've found it?"

Apple Bloom gave him the red gem and his eyes went wide. He said, "You found it! Thank you!"

Roneo then took the red gem with him and hugged the filly. Then he ran towards Starlet. Apple Bloom said, "I don't wanna miss that!"

She then silently followed him and hid behind a building. She watch the lovely couple from the distance.

Starlet saw him coming towards her and said, "R- Roneo?"

Roneo said with a blush, "I um ... have a present for you. If you want it I mean. Before you're wondering yourself why, I- I mean, I just wanted to tell you that ..."

Starlet blushed too and smiled. She said, "Oh Roneo. You shouldn’t had to. Your love is more then enough! I love you, too!"

She hugged him and gave a kiss on his cheek.

Roneo was stunned and his whole face blushed from the kiss. Starlet started to giggle and said, "There’s no reason to be shy darling, come here."

They both began to passionately kiss each other. Apple Bloom saw this scene and couldn't help but say, "D'aaaw."

Starlet heard her and saw her hiding behind a building. She said, "Oh, hey sweetie.”

Apple Bloom said with a blush, "Oh um, I didn’t wanted to peek! I just-"

Starlet said, "Darling, darling don’t worry. We have to thank you so much!"

Roneo said, "She's right. Without your help, I think I would never had the courage to speak with her tonight. Thank you very very much!"

Apple Bloom laugh in embarrassment and said, "You're welcome. I'm just glad both of you are lucky now. I did gave you a CMC promise! Well, I have to go now, bye!"

Starlet asked, "Wait darling! What does CMC means?"

Apple Bloom said as she walked away, "It means Cutie Mark Crusaders! I really have to go now, see ya!"

Starlet eyes widen at that and silently said, "I see."

Apple Bloom then walk past the house bit stop when a weak sobbing noise was coming from inside the house Roneo had been sitting in front of. She stopped and think about who could be crying inside. Maybe it was that filly she was following. She tried to open the door but found it to be locked.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and said, "Wasn't it obvious?"

She then look around the house for another entrance and found some stacked crates at the side of the house which lead to an open window.

Apple Bloom smiled and cheered, "Bingo!"

She jumped up the crates and then slipped inside the house through the window. The inside of the house was dark and she couldn't see where she was going. There were several crates stacked everywhere in the house that seemed to have only a single floor and a high ceiling.

'Maybe this was a storehouse or something' though Apple Bloom.

The windows of the building were boarded up or covered with crates. Small beams of light were passing through the cracks of the wooden barricades. She continued to search the building and found something or someone. In the back most corner of this house, she saw someone laying on the floor, silently crying. It was a mare who had grey fur and dark red mane but they were rumpled. She also saw that tears were running down from her lifeless face.

The mare was constantly looking at the ground and was mumbling something. The filly tried to hear what the mare said but it was too quite for her to understand. However, she did heard one thing from the mare.

"It's not right ... this ... is not right. The same thing again ... and again ... and again ..." The mare repeated mumbled several times before starting to cry again.

Apple Bloom was sad by her crying and wanted to comfort her. She walked closer to her but hit one of her leg with a crate.

Apple Bloom yelled "Ouch!" n pain and then tripped over. She fell on the wooden floor which gained the attention of the crying mare.

The mare said, "W-who is there?"

The mare came and saw the filly. As soon as she saw Apple Bloom, she said in fear, "No ... not again! A filly, just like... her."

More tears began to fall from her eyes. Apple Bloom said, "S-sorry. I didn’t wanted to-"

The mare asked, "What do you think you’re doing here?"

Apple Bloom look at her in confusion and said, "I, um … wait, what?"

The mare ask again with force, "What. Are. You. Doing. Here?!"

Apple Bloom said, "I am looking fer answers about this town. I came here following another filly out there in the woods. Who the hay are you anyway?"

The mare was shock to hear that. She said, "You .... followed a filly?"

The mare trailed off with a strange look on her face. She sat down in silence for a moment. She look at Apple Bloom then at the window and back at her again.

The mare asked cautiously, "Who exactly did you follow here?"

Apple Bloom said, "I followed a filly that had a golden blonde mane. She had a grey coat like yours but her eyes were all golden and glowey too."

The more said as she understood who she as talking about, "So, she’s the one who led you here."

The mare stood up and walked toward the window. She silently state outside the window. After being silent for a while, she asked with a quiver in her voice “S-so, do y-you k-know who I a-am?"

Apple Bloom said, "No."

The mare sigh and said, "My name is Mitta."

As soon as Mitta said her name, her legs quivering as her shoulders shrank forward. She collapsed on the floor and began to cry. Apple Bloom was caught off guard by this and immediately ran towards her and hugged her.

Apple Bloom said, "Please stop crying! I didn’t mean to upset you!"

Mitta said through her sobs, "It’s not fair! It’s just not fair!"

Apple Bloom asked, "What ain’t fair?"

Mitta said, "All of this! The same thing happening again and again and again! it never ends!"

Apple Bloom didn't know what she meant. She continued to hug and comfort Mitta who continued cry. After a while, Mitta’s sobs were slowed down to a weak whimper as Apple Bloom released her.

Mitta asked through her tears, "Why? Why would you even come here?"

Apple Bloom shrug her shoulder and said, "I don’t know. I guess it was just curiosity."

After Mitta dried her eyes Apple Bloom asked, "What the hay happened to this place? Why are you locked up in here? And why did you start crying just then?"

Mitta pleaded with the filly, "Please .... please don’t make me. It’s too hard to tell, this whole ordeal is my burden just as much as those monsters outside."

Apple Bloom pleaded with her, "Please Mitta. You can tell me. I want to know!"

Mitta said, "No. You shouldn’t. I can’t."

Apple Bloom sat besides her and said, "You don’t have to be alone in all this. I know others outside these woods. I can bring them here and we can help you."

Mitta eyes widen and said in teror, "No! Whatever you do, don’t lead anypony else here. They’ll be lost to this town just as we are!"

Apple Bloom said, "You keep on saying stuff like monsters and curses and losing ponies to the town. What does all that mean? Why can’t you give me an explanation!?"

Mitta look at the filly as she thought of something. She then sigh and said, "Okay fine. I'll tell you what I can but first you need to tell me why why did she bring you here?

Apple Bloom said, "Do you mean the other filly with the blonde mane?"

Mitta nodded and said, "Yes. Why you? Why now? She knows bringing anypony here puts them at risk. So why?"

Apple Bloom shrug and said, "I dunno."

Mitta took a breath and said, "This whole problem started with her, on that horrible night."

Apple Bloom asked, "What night?"

Mitta said, "This night. The night of the town’s founding anniversary. This town’s been here much longer than you could imagine, and it’s all from the curse."

Apple Bloom asked, "OK, so what’s that?"

Mitta took a deep breath to calm herself. The filly saw that the mare looked like she was trying not to cry.

Apple Bloom asked, "Did something bad happen?"

Mitta nodded and said, "Yes. Something bad. Something very very bad and the forest didn’t like it." She lowered her head as she remember what happened.

Apple Bloom was confused by this. The forest? She said, "Hold yer horses. The forest didn’t like it? I don’t get it."

Mitta said, "It’s always been an old legend that the Everfree forest exists as it does because it has its own special kind of magic right? Even when our town was founded near its edge we couldn’t have possibly known how far its influence stretched."

Apple Bloom eyes widen and said, "Wait! Are you telling me this town wasn’t originally in Everfree forest?"

Mitta nodded and said, "We weren’t the only town either. We had a sister settlement about a few day’s trot to the north as well."

Apple Bloom asked, "Is that town still there too? Did they believe in curse marks?

Mitta took another deep breath and said, "Curse marks ...Yes. That’s where the whole rumor started. The ponies of this town were scared, something awful happened to that neighboring town. It all had to do with the curse marks."

Apple Bloom said, "But they are not curses. They aren't even called called curse marks. They are called Cutie Marks!"

Mitta raised and eyebrow and said, "Cutie Marks? Hmm, I’ve never heard them called that before. You see, our town used to trade and interact quite a bit with our sister village, and then one day that all just stopped. No one came or went from there anymore, and the villagers here started getting worried. The council sent a small group to investigate, but all they found were ruins. The scouts asked outside travelers if they had heard what happened, and each time they got nearly the same story."

Apple Bloom was getting a deja vu as if she might have heard this story somewhere before. Mitta said, "According to travelers, somepony in town gets a mark on their flanks and then they started performing amazing feats and skills related to the picture. Then they got another, and another and another. Each mark made them do more crazy and death-defying feats but caused great damage to the town and its residents. Worse of all, the marks started spreading to other ponies and soon everyone was covered head to hoof in the terrible things. The ponies couldn't stop them self from performing multiple feats that they worked themselves all to death while completely destroying the town in the process."

Apple Bloom simply sat there wide-eyed at the story. She realized where she heard this story before but couldn't believe it.

Mitta continued, "Our village chief was really horrified by the story that he made sure everyone in town knew about the curse marks. He made everyone fear them greatly and made sure no pony would end up with a mark on them, lest they be punished."

Apple Bloom asked, "Then what happened when someone did get a mark?"

Mitta face became one of sadness and regret. She didn't wanted to answer that question, so she dogged it, "That really doesn’t matter. Just, because of what happened and because of our digressions, because of our stupidity and fear *Sob* we angered the magics of nature itself. The forest came alive with rage and destructive forces, and her fate that night was the flame that sparked it all."

Apple Bloom asked, "So then what kind of curse do all of you have now?"

Mitta pointed toward the window and said, "Surely you can take some guesses little one. You’ve been amongst the .... others out there. The ones who brought this all on us. Can’t you see the patterns?"

Apple Bloom went to the window and looked outside. She saw all the party ponies eating and drinking and having fun. Everyone was having a great time. She failed to see what the mare spoke about.

Apple Bloom said, "I'm sorry but, what am I suppose to be looking for exactly?"

Mitta said, "Look closely."

Apple Bloom looked again but couldn't find anything out of place. She said, "Sorry. I don't know what I am looking for."

Mitta said, "Time." This confused the filly. She continued, "Time is non-existent in this town. This party has been going on for hours right? Ponies have been eating and drinking all night right? So tell me how come the tables are still as they were when you arrived? All the candles on the cakes haven’t even lost a drop of wax yet! You surely have talked with some of them haven’t you?”

Apple Bloom said, "Well, yeah I did. I did talked to some of them."

Mitta said, "And what did you think about them?"

Apple Bloom said, "Well, most of their answers felt kind of rehearsed. Like they knew what I was gonna ask before I even asked it."

Mitta said, "Almost like they’re empty inside?"

Apple Bloom nodded and said, "Yeah! Kind of like that!"

Mitta said, "That’s because they are! Those ponies out there, they’ve all had their souls stolen, taken by the curse of the Everfree forest. This party never ends because this curse has stolen the life of this town. We are all cursed into everlasting limbo here, reliving our last night again and again and again. Your hours pass by to us like seconds, whole years merely days. A never ending torture."

Apple Bloom said, "But how can everything in the town look so normal then? If you all have been here for so long, shouldn’t everthing be crumbling and rotten? And if this is all true, how do you still have a memory?"

Mitta froze up at her question. She looked scared as she turned her gaze toward the door. She said, "There’s something else at work that keeps this town untouched by time little one. An evil working in the darkness. I simply cannot tell you" She choked at the end.

Apple Bloom said, "Wait. If you are cursed like the others, how do you have a memory? You don’t seem hollow inside?"

Apple Bloom tried to pried further which made Mitta to shed more tears like it was a bad memory. She sad, "I-I really don’t K-know. I don’t know why I still have my memory. For some reason the curse didn’t take my mind like it did the others. Maybe it’s my own personal hell, my punishment for failing to protect her."

Apple Bloom kept pressing, "Please, can’t ya tell me more?"

Mitta shook her head and said, "No, I can’t. I simply can’t. Please, for the sake of your friends and family, just leave."

Mitta stand up and began to push Apple Bloom towards the open window as she shed more tears.

Apple Bloom said, "Hey! Wait a minute. I still got more questions!"

Mitta said in a sad tone, "No little filly. No more questions. You don’t want to know the truth lurking behind this town’s facade. Just leave. Run home, never look back, and leave us to our well deserved fates."

Apple Bloom said, "But I have a friend who is very strong. He saved our lives from dangerous monsters. He even saved two kingdoms. He can help you with this. I know he can! Please tell me!"

Mitta said, "There is nothing that can be helped with. Please, just leave this place and save yourself. Forget that this place ever existed."

Mitta pushed Apple Bloom out of the window and then closed it. Apple Bloom fell out of the house and then stood up. She heard the mare crying again. Apple Bloom then walked away towards the end of the village but stopped right in her track. She look around and saw that this small part of the town was silent. She looked back and saw that the party was still going on.

There was also another space between two tress leading to somewhere else. Maybe she could find more clues in this part of the village? With that thought, she walked through the space between the trees and into the dark woods once more.

Apple Bloom kept on walking down the path in the woods. She carefully walk with only the light from the moon guiding her. Soon, the glow from the town had vanished in the distance as she walked away from it. She stops when she saw a flicker of golden light zipped between some trees in the distance. Then, in the far off distance she heard soft laughter.

"... heheh. C’mon slow poke ..."

Apple Bloom followed the golden light that went deeper into the forest. The filly ran after the light. She jumped above the roots of the trees and dogged some boulders. She kept on chasing after the light.

"... Keep going ... You’re almost ... there!"

Hearing this, made Apple Bloom increase her speed. Soon she came to a stop while she skid a few meters. In front of her sat a large cabin nestled between the trees.The other ghost filly was no where to be seen. Apple Bloom walk closer to the house and looked at it. The house looked like it was abandoned a long time ago. As she come closer to the house, she saw a flicker of light coming from within. She tried to open the door but it was locked. She tried the window but they were shuttered. She then wandered around the house and discovered a crumbled well behind it. She looked in the well and saw some flecks of red on a particularly jagged stone on one side of the well.

She was about to touch the red stuff but *Click* came a sound from the house. Apple Bloom left the well and look for the sound. She didn't find anything and tried to open the door one last time. This time, she found that the door was unlocked.

Apple Bloom was confused as to why the door was unlocked as it was locked just a few moments ago. She opened the door which made an eerie creaking noise. She ignored the creepy noise and walked into the house. She look around and found the inside of the house to be empty. No one was here. Not even the ghost. The entire place was coated with layers upon layers of dust.

The only thing that Apple Bloom saw was at the back of the room. There was a fireplace that was fully lit and crackling with fire. She saw a table and saw that it was covered in dust. She saw something was on the dust covered table and blow on it. However, this cause a dust cloud which made her to sneeze from it.

"Ahchoo!"

Apple Bloom coughed and wheezed for air as she stepped out of the dust cloud. The sneeze blew every bit of dust clean off the thing on the table. When the dust settled, she saw that the thing on the table was an old photo frame. She looked at the picture and saw a mare and a filly but they looked familiar. Both pony's fur were grey, but each one had a different colored hair. The mare had red hair and the filly had golden blonde hair. Apple Bloom immediately recognized who the mare and filly were. The mare was Mitta and the filly was the one who lead her into Sunny Town.

Apple Bloom saw how happy they both look in the picture. However, she kept on wondering as to what happened to the filly. She sigh walked over to the fire place. She sat in front of it to get warm.

Apple Bloom talked to herself, "Nothing. All this for nothing. I thought for sure I was gonna find the answer in here. But nothing .... nothing but this fire-"

Apple Bloom stop talking when she saw something in the fire. Underneath the burning logs, there was something white. Apple Bloom leaned in closer in order to make out what the white things were. She saw that there were a lot of these white things and they looked like they made some kind of shape. She looked at the white things for a while and then her face turn to one of horror. There in the fire place, was filled with bones!

Apple Bloom gasped and moved away from the fire place but never once her eyes left the bones in the fire. From the size and shape of the bones, Apple Bloom realized that they were the remains of a filly that was about her age. The poor filly had been murdered in this house. She finally got the answer but didn't like what she found. She immediately ran out of the building and towards the village. Someone needs to know this but who would listen to her. And she was not feeling well about talking about it the the ponies of this town.

Apple Bloom slowed as she was about to reach the town but something was wrong. The party was over and the illumination from the lanterns was extinguished. Darkness covered the village. Apple Bloom hesitated for a bit and walk into the village.

Play this horror music till the end.

As she walked into Sunny Town, Apple Bloom smelled the thick stench of blight that was coming from the village. Where was this stench coming from? She look around and found out where. Every single building and structure looked collapsed and decaying. The soft grass had been replaced with hard dirt and sticky mud. The party decorations looked ancient and rotten. She saw that the large table that once held the food for the party had been broken and rotten. The food was molded and decaying in the soil. The fields that had once been so full of life were now blighted and bare. It was like a ghost town.

Apple Bloom stood perfectly still, even stopped her breathing as everything around her was quiet. She gulped in fear and slowly walk forward. She avoided the collapse buildings and muddy path. On her way, she looked into some of the collapsed homes and found nothing but rubble. She kept on walking towards the exit of Sunny Town. As she was getting closer and closer, she prayed for her safety and thought that this was nothing but a dream but it did not went like that.

*Ggggrrrrrrrrrllllllllll*

Suddenly, a frightening growled came out that shattered the silence. Apple Bloom stopped and look around frantically in order to see where that dangerous sound came from.

A voice spoke, "There was no other way .... She would have infected the whole town .... We couldn’t have that."

Apple Bloom saw no one around her. Only darkness and collapse buildings. Where did that voice come from? She continued walking towards the exit as her fear raise with every step she took. As she was getting closer.

*KKkrrraakkakrkarakkkar*

This sound like several tree roots were being tear out from the ground. Apple Bloom turn around and look in the direction of the Noise. She saw a tree and walk towards it. When she was about to get close enough to the tree, a part of the dirt in front of her bulged upwards. Then from it, a black skeletal hand erupted from the ground and pulled itself out. Apple Bloom step back with a horrified expression as she see what came out of the ground.

There, tight in front of her was a skeletal pony with some rotten flesh hanging from its bones. Its eyes sockets were black with small red orbs in them. It was a zombie. Apple Bloom wanted to scream, but she couldn't as fear took control of her body. The zombie walked slowly towards the filly with a lurching motion and stopped a few feet away from her.

The zombie look down on the filly with its red glowing eyes. It opens its skeletal jaw and spoke with an unnatural echo in its voice, "The curse mark .... it befell her this very night ..."

Apple Bloom wanted to run away but stop when she saw something. She looked closely at the zombie and saw that there small amount of hair on its head. They were dark green color. Her eyes widen as she recognize who this zombie was.

Apple Bloom managed to squeak out, "Th-th-th ... Three Leaf?"

The zombie pony’s jaw formed a sneer that send shiver down the filly's spine. Its red glowing eyes glaring at the filly and said, "That’s right ..."

Apple Bloom yelped in fear, "What happened here?! What happened to you!?"

The zombie, Three Leaf stood silent for a while before answering, "Ssshhheee haaad tttthe mmmmark! Ssshhhhe haaaadddd toooo goooo!”

Apple Bloom realized who the zombie was talking about. The bones in the fire place at the abandon house belonged to the filly.

Apple Bloom shouted in anger, "You ponies killed an innocent filly, just because she earned her Cutie Mark! How could you do that!? Your a monster!"

"Please stay with us. We’ll never let the same happen to you ..." Another voice came from behind the filly.

Apple Bloom quickly turned around and look at the new voice. There was another zombie pony standing directly behind her. This zombie was taller than the Three Leaf zombie and its skull was more square than rounded. There was very little flesh hanging from this new zombie. Apple Bloom squealed in fear and shock. How did this zombie managed to get behind her without even making a sound?

Apple Bloom step back from the zombie and forgot about the zombie Three Leaf and bumped into it. She shivered in fear and disgust and then she began to feel dizzy like her energy was being drained. Her vision became blurry and her whole world began to spin around her as more and more energy left her body.

Apple Bloom saw that the other zombie was pony leaning in close and spoke in a gnarled voice, "Don’t worry, you’ll never become like her. We’ll protect you .... Forever!"

The zombie lunge at the filly with intent to grab her. However, this action snap her out of her stupor and became much more aware of her surrounding as adrenaline pumped in her body. New energy filled her body temporary which was enough for her at the moment. With a scream, Apple Bloom jumped away from the zombie and avoided its hands by a hair. She then ran at full speed into the village in order to escape the zombies. Both zombies began to stumble after her but they were unable to match her speed. So they opened their skeletal mouths and let out a sickening wail which alerted the others.

Apple Bloom heart was beating very fast as she ran with all she got. She reached the village's center before she heard the frightening scream. After the scream faded, another two zombie erupted out from the dirt near the well.

As the zombies was digging themselves out from the ground, Apple Bloom took the opportunity and ran past them before they got free from the ground.

Apple Bloom skid to a halt in front of a massive wall of rocks that stood between her and the pathway out. That wall of rocks were far too high for her to climb over and the zombies were slowly walking toward her as they growled at her. She was now stuck as she had no way of escaping this. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she nervously paced back and forth.

Suddenly she saw a golden light that circled one of the rocks in the wall and then disappeared. She had no choice and tried to push that specific rock and found out that it was loose. Apple Bloom tried to shove it with her shoulder but it moved a bit. She then take a step back and kicked the rock. With a few years of Apple Bucking, her legs became strong and the rock was begging to move aside.

However, her smile fell when the zombies were about to reach her. She frantically continued to kick the rock again and again but it was too late as the zombies were upon her. Apple Bloom closed her eyes and cried as she waited for her death.

*Gggrrrrraaaaaaaa!*

Apple Bloom heard the noise but didn't felt anything. She opened her eyes and was surprised at what she saw. A hoard of hornets were attacking the zombies by stinging their venom into their empty eye sockets. Some hornets even filled the eye sockets of the zombies, thus making them blind. The zombies step back as they sluggishly tried to hit the hornets away but they were to fast for the undead to hit them. This gave Apple Bloom enough time to kick the rick aside and a little hole was made.

A zombie spoke, "We’ll protect you .... Forever ..."

Apple Bloom shouted, "I don’t want your protection! Just wait till my friend hears about what all of you have done!"

Apple Bloom crawled into the hole and away from the zombies as they were assaulted by a hoard of hornets. She breathed heavily and took a short time to rest but she didn't had any as two more skeletal hands came out of the ground near her and tried to grab her. However, Apple Bloom jumped over it and stomp on the skeletal hands *Crunch* crushing them. A scream came from underground as the owner of the hands screamed when they were crushed. Apple Bloom didn't stop and ran away.

Apple Bloom finally managed to reach the end of the village. She saw the space between the trees and ran towards it.

A zombie spoke, "Please, don’t leavvveeee ... Aaaaallll we want is friendshiiipppp."

This voice was different as it was in pain. Apple Bloom stop and look behind her. She saw two zombies but something about them were familiar to the filly. She recognized them as Roneo and Starlet.

She became extremely sad when she was the couple in that decaying state. Maybe they would be different from the other zombies? She took a step towards them which made the two zombie couple turn their skeletal heads towards her. Their red eyes were glowing at the filly which stopped her.

They both spoke at the same time, "Please ... Don’t leave. The others won’t like it."

Apple Bloom was now sure that all of the zombies were the same. She turned around and ran through the exit to the Everfree forest. Apple Bloom ran and ran through the dark forest. She didn't know where she was going and she didn't cared. All she wanted at the moment was to get away from the zombies as far away as possible.

After a while of running she found herself lost. She took several breath to calm herself and took a rest. At the moment, she managed to get away from the zombies but now, she don't know what to do. She is lost in some part of the forest and its only a matter of till the zombies get her. She lower her head as she cried for some sort of miracle to happen. And it did.

A figure slowly came out from behind a bush. Apple Bloom look up to see who it was and immediately backpedaled from it. It was another zombie but something was different about this one. Its body wasn’t nearly as decayed as the others. In fact, this one still had flesh except for a few rotten areas on her body. This zombie even had had eyes. The zombie walked right up to Apple Bloom and stopped.

The zombie said, "These fools .... even in death they just don’t understand."

This voice as familiar to Apple Bloom. She look at the zombie closely and saw that it had dirty hair with a deep maroon sheen in the moon light. It decaying coat was patched with grey splotches. Its eyes still boiled with the same red of the others. The filly saw a tear fall from one of its eye. The zombie look at the filly sadly and sigh.

The zombie said, "I should have protected her, but I made my choice. This is our everlasting punishment for our sins .... It’s what we deserve."

Now Apple Bloom know who the zombie was. It was Mitta. The filly became sad as she saw her crying. She lifted her hand and was about to pat her back but Mitta stopped her.

Mitta said, "Don't touch me."

Apple Bloom pulled her hand back and said, "Oh sorry. I just wanted to comfort you."

Mitta shook her head and said, "No. You should not touch me. I am cursed."

Apple Bloom asked, "What would happen if I touch you?"

Mitta said, "You would become a cursed one just like me and the others."

Apple Bloom step back in fear of becoming one of the zombies. Mitta asked, "Why did you stay?"

Apple Bloom said, "I guess my curiosity just got the better of me. I never would have guessed this was what you were trying to protect me from. I'm so sorry.”

Mitta said, "Don’t be. The ponies of this town deserve every drop of this curse, and I’m no exception to that. I had the chance to stop her, to protect her. My daughter, but I failed as her as her mother. I abandoned her when she needed me most. Now I have my own sins to bear alongside these ... heartless monsters! Cursed to relive my lifelong regret .... But you? You can escape our fate. You aren’t bound here. You still have hope."

Mitta cried as she relieved the memory of her daughter being killed by the village chief. After crying for a while, she gave Apple Bloom a weak smile. Apple Bloom wanted to give her a hug, but couldn't due to the curse. They sat peacefully for a while but were then disturbed as the rest of the zombies caught up. Their moans and wails were horrible which send shiver through the filly's body.

Mitta stand up and face the direction of the incoming zombies with renewed vigor. The filly saw that the mare's eyes that had been hurt, eyes that suffered and endured centuries of pain, now held a new feeling though, one of righteous fury.

Mitta said, "I’m done hiding and I’m done being the scared little pony that hides from her problems. You’ve taught me tonight that I need to be strong and I need to protect the ones I care about."

Mitta pointed down a path through the woods and said, "Run little one. Run as fast as you can. Take that path and keep on running! Whatever you do, do not stop running! Now go!”

Mitta then charged at the hoard of zombies and rammed them. Some of the zombies were pushed back while some fell down but stood back up. The zombies were confused that one of their own would attack them but then they began to attack her. Mitta was soon surrounded by several zombies who began to gnawed and bite her, but Mitta didn't let it stop her as she continuously attack the zombies from reaching the filly. Soon several zombies dog-piled on the poor mare which stopped her.

Mitta managed to look back at the shocked filly and shouted, "What are you waiting for!? Run for your life! Save yourself!"

Apple Bloom could do nothing but nod with teary eyes and ran off into the forest. She cried as she ran. Mitta sacrificed her own life in order to save her. She wish that she could do something for her but she didn't have any power to do so. The only thing she could do now is return to Ponyville as Mitta told her to.

Soon the Everfree forest became alive as wails and moans of zombies echoed through the trees. Every where she ran, she saw a zombie. Soon darkness was covering the forest. Apple Bloom thanked that the red eyes of the zombies glowed which she could see in the darkness. She kept on running and avoided the zombies. Soon, she saw a patch of moonlight ahead of her.

Apple Bloom was almost out but a zombie jumped out of a bush and stood in front of her. She fell on her back as she tried to get away from the zombie. Then to her horror, several more zombies came out and surrounded her.

The zombie in front of her opened its mouth and said, "Come. Join us. We’ll protect you ... Forevvvvveeeerrrrr!"

The zombie brought its skeletal mouth towards the filly in order to bit her. Apple Bloom eyes widen in horror as she saw the zombie's mouth coming closer to her. She closed her eyes and yelled at the top of her lungs, thinking that someone would hear her scream.

"KKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"