"Well, that fills up this bucket," said a purple-scaled dragon, "Done yet, Crusaders?"

The dragon name was Spike. He has light mulberry with a light spring budish gray underbelly scales and light lime green "ears. He had spikes on the top of his head that were a moderate harlequin. He was wearing a green sleeveless shirt with purple pants.

The founding (and only) members Cutie Mark Crusaders lined up. They comprised of Apple Bloom, a yellow Earth pony had pale, light grayish olive fur and Brilliant amaranth hair with a Light brilliant crimson pink ribbon tied on at the top. She was also wearing an orange t-shirt that had a red apple on it with orange jeans and her eyes were a Brilliant gamboge.

Sweetie Belle had white fur and a Grayish mulberry with pale, light grayish rose streaks hair. She also had what appeared to be a horn at the top of her head. She was wearing a light blue t-shirt and dark grey jeans. Her eyes were Pale, light grayish harlequin.

Scootaloo had two small wings's coming out of her back through the holes on the back of her muscle shirt and sport's bra. She was also wearing blue workout pants that had a rainbow coming down the side of the pant leg. Her fur was Light brilliant gamboge and she had Moderate cerise hair. Her eyes were a Grayish purple.

"We're ready, Spike," Apple Bloom jovially replied.

"Yep," Scootaloo added energetically, "ready to take that bake sale by storm."

"Thanks ever so much for helping us, Spike," Sweetie Belle said, smiling sweetly.

"Ahh, it's all right," Spike said with a wave of his hand, "I didn't have anything else to do seeing as how Twilight gave me the day off."

'Besides,' he added silently, 'someone has to keep you three out of trouble.'

"By the way," he asked, "what are you guys gonna bake with these Everfree Berries?"

All of them answered cookies, muffins, and cake at the same time, eliciting confused looks from everypony there, including Spike.

"Well," Apple Bloom replied, undeterred, "whatever we make with them, it's gonna be delicious."

"Yeah, we're gonna rock that bakes sale!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"It's gonna be so much fun!" Sweetie Belle squeaked excitedly.

Spike gave a small smile as he bent to lift his bucket when he heard a branch snap. Apparently, the Crusaders had heard it too for they grew suddenly silent. Knowing the many dangers of the Everfree Forest, Spike warily glanced about, readying himself for action.

"Ewww!" Scootaloo replied, covering her nose, "what is that stench?"

The second he heard it, Spike caught a whiff of it. It was a foul smell, the smell that followed death and decay. He knew that smell he knew all too well. He turned with a start, seeing five pairs of red eyes staring at them. "Run! Timberwolves!"

As the companions ran, five Timberwolves exploded from the brush, howling as they bounded on their quarry. They moved in unison, their wooden limbs clacking as they loped across the terrain.

The Crusaders and Spike ran for all they were worth with Spike pacing himself behind the Crusaders. He turned to glance behind him, seeing the Timberwolves gaining on them. A small flutter of panic bloomed in him, increasing his speed. He turned back and saw the Crusaders had stopped. A split-second later he saw why.

In front of them, a rock ridge rose from the ground cutting off their retreat. Spike skidded to a halt, taking inventory of the landscape around him. He hoped he could find another escape route, an improvised weapon, anything he could use. Seeing nothing, he turned to face the incoming wolves.

The Timberwolves fanned out in front of the ridge, leaving no gaps for escaping through. They stalked closer, obviously in no hurry now that the pursuit had ended. In moments, they would be close enough for Spike and the Crusaders to feel the putrid-smelling breath on their scales and coats.

Spike flexed his claws in anticipation. He knew, in the end, it was going to be futile, but he wasn't going down without a fight. Not with his friends lives on the line. "Stay behind me," he said, eyeing all the wolves in turn, "and if you see a chance, run for it." He inhaled deeply, preparing to unleash his fire breath.

One of the Timberwolves crouched down and was preparing to stop only to stop with its ears flicking upwards as if it heard something. A beer bottle slammed into its head causing it to move sidewards. A second later it shook its head removing any glass that was on its head.

"Leeav athose kides aloneh!" A slurred voice spoke causing everyone to glance towards the direction it came from.

A stallion stumbled forwards while almost tripping over himself a few times only to catch himself. The stallion had black fur. His hair was white and he had a long beard that was unkept making it look like a furball of fur. He wore sandals that looked ready to fall apart. He wore a gi that was grey and covered in dirt and other things. There was also a few torn pieces here and there throughout the clothes.

Even with that pony being so far away Spike could smell the alcohol on his breath causing him to cringe from the smell and pinch his nose. Or it was probably his clothing that smelled.

"I skaid leavae them aenol."

The pony after speaking brought his bottle to mouth and began chugging its contents.

'We're dead. And the last thing we see is this drunk pony.'

The Timberwolves growled getting annoyed. That and the smell coming from this pony was messing up with their smell. One of them having enough rushed towards the pony growling and snarling.

"LOOK OUT!"

The pony seemed to didn't hear them and continued drinking even as the timberwolf jumped into the air. At the last second, the pony fell to the side and accidentally swung his hand up and smashed into its face breaking it and sending wood everywhere.

The four children could only gape like fish when the pony sat back up on his knees.

"I alymost spilled kmy drgink." The pony slurred while looking at his drink.

"Am I my eyes playing with me? Or did anypony saw that to?" Spike asked.

The the other three shook their heads yes.

"Good to know we are seeing the same thing then."

The Timberwolves growled at seeing one of their own destroyed. The rest of them rushed forward.

"Huh?" The pony asked himself.

He saw the dogs running towards. More likely to steal from him!

"I tolud you dogs to istop stealing from mde!"

The Timberwolves growled and ran faster intending on killing the one that called them dogs!

"I told you tto lmeave mxy drink aylone!"

The pony just stared at the Timberwolves only to roll dodging one and kicking up with his legs right between the Timberwolves legs. Spike was confused when he saw something fly away. A second later he heard a really loud high pitch whine come from the Timberwolf that fell to the ground. It almost looked ready to cry.

The pony nodded his head in satisfaction before turning to the others with a glare that actually caused the Timberwolves to flinch. To them, it looked like they were literally staring death in the face.

The Timberwolves glanced at each other, to their friend, to the pony then back at themselves. Without even barking at each other they turned tail and ran back into the woods in fear. The one that was injured stood to its shaking legs and galloped after them.....Tried to but was hobbling.

"Ystupid mdogs." The pony grunted and turned towards the four children who stood there with mouths open.

"Hey, wheqn did syou three geit za ghecko?" The pony asked while taking another swig from his drink only to fall on the ground and lay there.

The four glanced at each other not sure what just happened. They were brought from their thoughts when they heard snoring coming from the pony.

"WHAT THE BUCK JUST HAPPENED!?" Scootaloo shouted the question that was on everypony and dragon mind.