-Sweet Apple Acre's, CMC Club house

Applejack ran as fast as she could once the club house was in sight and her worst fears were confirmed. There was a blazing fire roaring out of control and her sister, along with her friends were most likely trapped inside. The intense heat made itself known to her the closer she got and she began to worry about how she was going to get them out. She skidded to a halt and began looking around hoping that perhaps Caramel had left out a ladder close by but had no such luck.

It was then she heard the soft coughing a little ways from her to the right just past some bushes a small distance away. She quickly trotted over a small glimmer of hope igniting in her heart that perhaps they were already out and safe away from the flames. What she saw though struck fear into her heart.

A large creature was on its knees looming over her sister. It was breathing heavily and wore strange cloth around it keeping most of it's form hidden. Despite this, she saw a glowing red light fading from a pair of gems on his arm's. Her gaze followed the arms down to what she could tell were digits of some sort which struck similarity in her mind to Spike's claws.

This creature was large, it may have started the fire, and it looked like it was going to hurt her sister! She wasn't about to let anything happen to little Applebloom or the other CMC's so she sprang into action. Leaping out of the bushes she bellowed as she ran to them at breakneck speed. “What in Tar-nation!”

Before the creature could react, she quickly turned her finely tuned muscles preparing for an all to familiar action. She bucked her legs back as hard as she could and was rewarded with the solid crack of hoof meeting flesh and bone. The blow sent the creature back several feet onto its back causing it to groan softly as it brought one of its hands up to its head.

Applejack narrowed her vibrant green eyes as she stepped up between the girls and the creature ready to strike again. She pawed at the ground and grit her teeth as she heard a deep voice grunt and mumble from the creature. “Great....”

Applejack lowered her head again her Stetson tilted back. “You keep you're good fer nothin mitts off mah sister! I'm not gonna let anything, or anypony hurt her.”

Applebloom coughed again as she moved to her hooves and stood up. “But...sis...”

“Quiet Applebloom, you don't know what this.....creature is....”

Sweetie Bell, and Scootaloo both stepped up a a bit joining their friend while Applebloom frowned and sat down watching her sister and the creature. “But...”

Applejack was about to turn her head to her sister to settle the issue when there was a sudden flash of light pulling all their attention to it and away from the man sitting up and moving to a kneeling position in front of them.

-Ponyville, The Town Library

Twilight smiled as she levitated several books over onto a nearby table while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash looked on with wide eyes.

“Here you go girls, your next set of books.” Twilight's horn glowed as four of them moved from the stack down onto the table in front of Fluttershy followed by another set landing in front of Rainbow. “The latest books on veterinary medicine for Fluttershy, and the newest books staring Daring Doo for Dash.”

Flutershy gulped as she peaked around the stack looking at Twilight, “Oh..My...I didn't expect this many new editions, but I look forward to learning all sorts of new ways to help my animal friends.” She smiled sweetly as she opened the top of the stack.

Rainbow Dash chuckled as she grabbed the first book she could reach. “Fluttershy, I think you read to many books like that...you should try Daring Doo...these stories rock!” She grinned as she began to read. “Nothing better than a Daring Doo story.”

“Well, they are a little to exciting for me”

Twilight laughed as she opened her own book but frowned when there was a knocking at her door. “...Everytime.” She sighed as she closed her book and trotted over to the door. She opened it to an unexpected sight. There breathing deeply and a bit sweaty was Big Macintosh with a look of concern on his face. “Big Mac?”

“Eeeyup..”

“Well, what are you doing here?” She paused bringing her hoof to her chin. He was about to open his mouth to answer her but was interrupted by Rainbow Dash trotting over. “Well duh Twilight, he's here to get the newest farmers almanac.”

Big Mac paused and shook his head “Nnnope.”

Fluttershy floated over “Well...maybe he needs a book on some new farming techniques?”

He again shook his head glancing over his shoulder a bit of nervousness beginning to show in his eyes. “Nnnope.”

Twilight frowned. “Well, what could it be...” She looked down then grinned as a realization hit her. “Oh, I know, you're here to pick up new books on building sheds and barn-”

Big Mac placed his large hoof over her mouth and shook his head. “Nnnope” He pulled his hoof back and pointed over his shoulder revealing a large storm brewing over Sweet Apple Acre's in the distance.

Rainbow frowned as she shot out the front door and rose into the air several feet. “What the...there isn't supposed to be a storm like that for at least two weeks...”

Twilight frowned as she, Big Mac and Fluttershy all trotted outside. “ Rainbow...the last time there was weather you didn't expect, we had a visit from...”

Fluttershy shivered her eyes wide with realization. “Discord...”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes as she let her gaze travel over the tree tops of Sweet Apple Acre's when she saw something that put a great deal of fear into her heart. The faint trail of black smoke rising through the air. “Twilight! There's trouble!”

Hearing the concern in Dash's voice Twilight narrowed her eyes. “I'm guessing we need to get over there quickly then...Alright everypony, stay close to me and hang on!”

Rainbow landed next to her as Big Mac, as well as Fluttershy huddled in a little closer. Twilight closed her eyes in concentration as her horn began to glow strongly with its purple hue. Suddenly all of them were enveloped in the familiar glow which then began to grow brighter and brighter until a bright flash filled the air and they were gone.

-Sweet Apple Acre's, dusk

Applejack smiled seeing her big brother with her friends. They seemed a little disorientated from their teleport but after a moment they saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders as well as Applejack with a burning clubhouse in the background.

Rainbow Dash didn't hesitate to shoot into the air and grabbing a few stray clouds. She quickly pushed them over the clubhouse holding her breath from the smoke and with a few kicks she was able to unleash a torrent of rain water extinguishing the flames. After a few moments all that remained was a few smoldering boards. She then shot into the sky and began to clear the storm clouds from view.

Fluttershy, seeing the condition of the young fillies rushed right over and began to check them over. “Oh my, are you dearies alright? You're not burned are you? “ She was stopped by Sweetie Bell placing a hoof over her mouth.

“We're fine...we really are, in fact, Applebloom is better than before.”

“W..What do you mean?”

Scootaloo rose up on her hind legs. “There was this, this thing...it saved us!”

Twilight paused as did the others, all turning to face the young orange filly. “What? What saved you?”

Scootaloo shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know what it was, but it was tall, strong, and fast! It leaped into the clubhouse and pulled us out of there just before it got to intense! It was amazing!”

Applejack frowned. “Wait a second, you mean to say that, that...thing,” She pointed her hoof over her shoulder back where she had just bucked him. “Saved you from the fire?”

Fluttershy shifted nervously on her hooves “Um...Um...Applejack?”

“What Fluttershy?”

“What creature?” She lightly pointed a hoof over Applejack's shoulder.

Applejack's eyes widened as she wheeled around looking to where the creature had landed. “What? Where did it go?! I just bucked it a minute ago...”

Rainbow Dash landed down next to Twilight a slight smile on her face. “Why would you buck something so awesome? It saved these three and -”

“It was hunkered over Applbloom ready to hurt her....” Applejack shifted nervously in her hooves. “I didn't think it was helping...”

Sweetie Bell jumped in front of Scootaloo “It did this weird but cool thing where its hands glowed, and it ran them over Applebloom, and then she was able to wake up and be back to normal.”

Twilight blinked a moment before smiling. “That sounds like a healing spell...very tricky. Maybe it's friendly and just wanted to help.”

Applejack frowned. “But...but, no...you mean to say I hurt somepony who was just trying to help mah sister?” Her ears lowered as did her eyes. “I feel mighty low right now...”

Fluttershy trotted over and placed a hoof on Applejacks shoulder. “There, there Applejack, I'm sure it's alright. I'm sure it would understand why you did what you did, but where did it go?”

Applejack sighed and turned to Big Macintosh. “Big Mac, can you take Applebloom and the other two girls back to the farm house and get them cleaned up before dinner?”

He nodded with a little smile. “Eeyup...and tomorrow I'll help build a new clubhouse.” This made the three fillies break out into a large smile.

Applejack turned to her friends with a sigh, her eyes looking down. “Girls, I need your help. If I'm gonna find this thing and apologize that means tracking it down.”

Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof down. “With a tracker like me, we'll find it in ten seconds flat”

Twilight trotted over to where Applejack had pointed before “Well girls, if we're going to find it, we need to get started.”

-Grevin , Edge of Sweet Apple Acres, Dusk

Grevin thanked his good fortune to get away from the confrontation when the other, for lack of a better term, ponies arrived he had taken the opportunity to duck out into the orchard using his training to move silently through the tree's at a brisk pace. Currently he found himself at the edge of the orchard and near what appeared to be a fairly average forest. He rested back against a tree and took a deep breath only to feel a fierce cough rip through his lungs causing him to bend down resting his hands on his knees.

He raised a hand to his jaw wincing again at how tender it was left. Thankfully the blood had dried and he was beginning to feel better but he wished he had met these creatures under better circumstances, but for now the young ones were safe, and that was what was important.

He needed to take stock of what he had after his most recent trip. He knew he still had his armor and gauntlets, he still had his swords and fortunately his cloak was unscathed. Unfortunately his travel pack was missing which meant he had no spare clothes, no rations...though with the fresh fruit in this orchard, he didn't have to worry about food in that respect. He didn't know the land he was in, what the dangers were, and what was safe...but that wasn't what really concerned him. He was still worried about his mission...the protection of the people of Bastion. He had to figure out why he was here, and what it would take to get back.

Clearing his throat once again he rose back to his full height, pulled his cloak around him tightly and glanced around making certain the coast was clear before heading into the forest before him. He wasn't certain what he would find, but he did receive the impression that if he were not careful he could find himself in a far worse situation than before.

Moving silently through the brush, his mind began to wonder back to the portal that pulled him into the world. Why did it happen, what caused it? The most obvious answer was magic, but it had to be a powerful magic to rip open a portal such as that.

He paused a moment in mid step as another thought hit him. He knew how to cast some spells, which meant he had a feel for magic, he had to in order to control it. Perhaps he could use a little bit of his magic to help him track down the source of what pulled him here in the first place. He closed his eyes once again and began to call upon the magic within himself allowing just enough to flow into his fingertips. Once that was done he slowly held out a hand and began to sweep it in front of him hoping for some sort of sensation to help direct him in the right direction.

For several minutes he swept his hand back and forth, as he walked each step lowering his hopes until he felt it. Ever so faint, ever so weak it was there. A simple tug at his fingertips. He paused his breath still coming slowly. He turned himself toward the sensation and opened his eyes dropping his hands.

Before he continued any further he took a careful look around noting the large paw marks that surrounded the area. They were padded and had claw marks, so it was clear that he would need to be careful lest he become a snack for them. He quickened his pace quickly running through a small creek hoping that he could reach his destination before sunrise.

-Sweet Apple Acres

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash floated back down to where Twilight and Applejack waited on the edge of the orchard. “I'm sorry girls, but there was no sign of it in the rest of the orchard.”

Applejack frowned kicking a rock with her hoof. “Shoot...where could he have gone...Twi, do you have any ideas?”

Twilight put a hoof to her chin “Well, we know its fast....so it could be anywhere by now, but we also know it doesn't know the area meaning it would probably look for a place to hide. We also know that he can use magic.” She gasped as her gaze brought her to the sight of the Everfree Forest. “If I were him I'd go into the forest, it'd be the perfect place to hide.”

Fluttershy squeaked “Y..you mean we have to go in..in there again?” She pointed a shaky hoof at the ominous forest.

Twilight nodded as she walked past her nervous friend. “Not only that, but if it was brought here by magic...and he can use magic, that means there is only one place it would be drawn to...the place where we found the Elements of Harmony.”

Applejack frowned but began to move forward. “Well, it doesnt do us any good sittin around here. The night is young and we're burning time.”

Rainbow frowned “A.J. Why are you so interested in finding this guy?”

Applejack sighed. “Look, girls, I was a real sour apple with this person...it helped mah sister and saved her and her friends and how did I repay it? I bucked it as hard as I could in the jaw and was ready to hurt it for no reason. I didn't stop and even ask what was going on. I have to apologize for what I've done...I just have to.”

Rainbow paused and nodded. “I understand A.J.” She looked to the others. “Come on guys, we know where the castle ruins are, so we'll get there in no time. Lets go.”

-Everfree Forest, night-time.

The further he traveled into the forest, the darker and more foreboding it became. The very air seemed to close in and press its weight upon him with each step. He smirked noting how familiar it felt to the same locations that he found his armor and sword in. Ancient ruins, that were not meant to be seen or walked in again. If this place was anything like that, then any moment he would find something amazing...and potentially dangerous.

As he rounded a bend moving around a particularly thick batch of trees he frowned noting that he needed to stop guessing these kind of things if he were to ever lead a normal life. Just before him was a rickety looking rope bridge that led across a large cliff side and on the other end was the ruins of what he could only guess was at one time a grand castle.

He hesitantly made his way up to the bridge and after a brief check of it's sturdiness he placed a foot upon the first plank. “Might as well get this over with.”

He slowly crossed the bridge being careful to not allow his full body weight to stay in one position to long lest the wooden slats break under his weight. After some time he was able to make it to the other side. Wiping some of the sweat from his brow he tensed hearing the familiar sound of wolves howling in the night. Looking over his shoulder he could almost see some brush across the gorge rustling. With any luck those wolves would not be brave or smart enough to cross that bridge and he wouldn't have to worry about being attacked by a hungry pack.

Turning back to the ruins, he couldn't help but smirk. “Why is it, that ruins are always involved...why don't they ever take all the important things out of these places when they leave?” He shook his head berating himself for talking to himself and walked inside uncertain of what he would find.

Author's Notes: I know it's not exactly normal to pump out a second chapter this quickly but I couldn't help but want to after seeing the positive reviews that were left. I don't know if this story will take off or flop but I'm grateful to see so many people following it already. Thanks guys. I'll continue to try and put out more chapters when I can and I'll do my best to stay consistent in both plot and putting out chapters. As always please forgive any spelling, grammar errors. Thanks for reading and I hope to continue to bring a good stories to you. Have a good one.