I was the first ya know. Ta see it that is. I mean, I kinda saw it. I didn't know what it was at first, but it sure didn't look like anything I ever seen. But I wasn't scared, I'm a big pony.

When did I see it?

Oh well, I was running home after a day of crusading. I was running a little late and I decided ta cut through the woods ta get home 'efore curfew....

- Applebloom

Applebloom ran as fast as her hooves could carry here. Her overalls were grass and tree sap stained and there were still a few twigs in her mane from that fall she and the other CMC had when they tried their hooves at tree surveying. Her backpack jumped about on her back, her books and notes banging together inside. The sun was already starting its descent over the horizon, and she wasn't sure if she would get back to the farm house in time to avoid a lecture fro Applejack for missing curfew.

She had cut through the forest after she had left the club house. Normally she would go around them as these woods were part of the Everfree, if less wild and untamed as the whole Everfree itself, but the normal path would take too long and this way cut right toward the farm. Besides, she wasn't afraid and she had taken this short cut before. She never saw anything scary or dangerous.

Well, there was that small patch of Poison Joke, but she knew where it was to avoid it.

The little filly was just passing around a corner of willow trees that hung over a slow flowing creek that fed into one of the big rivers near town that fed the local lake.

Sometimes Applebloom would splash in the creek if she was especially covered in tree sap, pine needles, or that one time taffy mix when she and the girls had tried their hooves at taffy making. It always got her clothes soggy, but it was easier to explain that she tripped in a puddle then try to explain how she ended up covered in sap or taffy.

Besides, the cold water felt good, especially during the summer.

It was this time, that the youngest of the Apple family, decided to make such a stop. A quick splash of water to get some of the sap off and to wipe her hooves. She walked over to the edge of the stream and set to work, picking some water up with her hooves and wiping away at the offending sap. She was just about ready to leave, when she heard something rustling in the bushes on the other side of the creek.

Applebloom froze, and watched. Though this bit of forest was on the edge of the Everfree, it was still part of it. Even her own farm had Timber wolves prowl along the edges. she waited, watching for any sign of movement, when another rustling of the bushes to her side caught her attention.

Turning her head, Applebloom froze as she saw a dark figure hunched over near the other edge of the creek. The creature was some distance away, so she couldn't make out any details. But she knew it was something she had never seen before. Her fear was momentarily forgotten as curiosity now took hold.

What was this creature? What was it doing? Applebloom watched as the creature extended what she assumed was its arms, into the water and then to its head. The head itself was difficult to make out due to matted mane or fur that seemed gnarled and unkempt. It looked like the creature was drinking. She couldn't see well, but the arms looked like they didn't end with hooves but some sort of claw like appendages.

Applebloom leaned further, to try and get a better look when one of her hooves pressed down on a twig. The snap of the wood made her flinch, and she watched with sudden horror as the creature looked toward her and to her shock and fear, stood up on two large legs.

It was huge, as big as a tree maybe bigger, and it peered at her from across the creek.

An uncontrollable fear came over the little filly, afraid that whatever this creature was might try to run at her. Its large frame made it clear that if it did so, there was little she could do.

Turning quickly, Applebloom ran down the path, leaping over branches, roots and bushes as she cut through the woods. She didn't know if the creature was following her, but her frightened mind seemed to be playing games with her, as she confused the breaking of sticks and rustling of leaves she caused as signs the creature was giving chase. It only made her run even harder, and when the family farmhouse came into view she burst through the door and collapse to the ground.

"Whoa nelly!"

Applebloom looked up, seeing her older sister Applejack standing by the stove cooking. She set down the wooden spoon she was using to stir something and rushed over. Applebloom let her sister lift her up and she threw her hooves around her in a hug and squeezed tightly.

"Whoa, Applebloom what's wrong? Y'all came bargin' in here like a bat outta tartarus."

"I-I-I," Applebloom gasped, taking in deep gulps of air.

"Now take a breather sugarcube." Applejack said softly, trying to calm her little sister down.

"A-A monster! I saw a monster!" Applebloom shouted, before burying her face into her sisters chest.