Derpy Hooves Kindheart Rosario let out a near inaudible groan as she felt herself slowly beginning to come to. The first thing she felt when consciousness returned to her, was that her entire body was screaming. White hot agony washed over her, as if it was a giant wave slowly gathering form the essence of an ocean, ready to crash down into the sandy beach below it. It was so overwhelming that she wasn’t even able to scream, to overcome by the shock of the pain. It started from her head, going all the way down to her legs, her wings feeling like they would snap at any moment. Derpy bit her lip as she cried to keep herself from crying out, and as she attempted to get up, she found herself being pinned to the floor.

“W-what the hell…what is this?” Derpy asked herself, trying to feel for whatever she was laying upon. Or, what was lying upon her at the moment. “I-I can’t move…I can feel something bearing down on me-ow!” She cried when she felt her wing get pierced by something sharp, feeling like it could pierce through it at any moment.

As Derpy did her best to keep herself from getting her wing broke, she looked around in the darkness for any search of anypony. “H-hello? Is anypony out there somewhere?!”

A tiny gasp answered the grey mare’s question, before a filly’s voice cried out. “Mama?! Is that you?!”

“Dinky?!” Derpy cried, her shock making her forget about her pain for a brief moment. “What in the name of Faust herself are you doing here?! Wait, no scratch that, what even happened?!”

“You mean you don’t remember what happened?” Dinky asked, her voice getting closer as she tried to find her mother. “You save me from getting crushed!”

“Save you? Honey, I don’t know what…you’re…” It was at that moment that the events of ten minutes ago began to come back to Derpy. One minute, she was trying to keep her youngest daughter safe from whatever had darkened the Town Square. The next, some of the roof was falling down towards them, heading right for Dinky. Derpy recalled how everything slowed when she saw this happen, how everything seemed to go in slow motion as she went to save her daughter from being crushed. She had succeeded, but not in the part where she could get herself out, not that she was really thinking of herself at the moment. all Derpy was thinking about was saving her little muffin and keep her from getting squashed. While she managed to do that, it didn’t look like she’d be able to get them out of their other predicament.

“Oh…now I remember! You were under those falling chunks of the Town Square, and I tried to save you from getting crushed.” Derpy said as the pieces finally clicked in her mind. “Are you alright muffin? Where are you now?”

“I’m trying to find your voice mama, hold on!” Dinky said, the clopping of her hooves taking her voice’s place a second later. Derpy waited for what was nearly a minute of patience before she began to see a small figure walk towards her in the faint light. When it got close enough to where she could properly make it out, she brightened upon seeing a grayish violet unicorn filly.

“Muffin!” Derpy cried happily as the filly ran over to her. “You’re alright! I thought that you had been hit by one of these wooden chunks!”

“I wasn’t Mama, really, but from my point of view it was pretty lucky that I wasn’t.” Dinky replied, her mother as her amber golden eyes bore into her mother’s. “You look pretty beat up there…are you able to get up?”

“No…from where Mommy is sitting right now sweetie.” Derpy replied sadly as she tried to move herself, and barely succeeding. “It looks like Mommy is stuck between a rock in a hard place. Or, between a destroyed roof and a hard place that is.”

“Well, there’s gotta be some way to get you out!” Dinky cried, holding onto one of her mother’s forelegs. “You can’t stay down here forever! You might get buried or crushed under hear if a broken wing isn’t the only thing you’ll get! We’ve got to get somepony here to get you out of here now!”

“As much as I’d like to do that, I don’t think that’s the best option right now.” Derpy protested with a slow headshake. “I’ve been trying to feel my way around here a few moments ago after I woke up. From the way I think this pile of roof is made, if I make so much as one wrong move, I may make the pieces fall on top of one another with the rest following. I may end up crushing both of us in the process, and I really don’t want that, especially for you.”

“T-then what do we do?!” Dinky whimpered, looking like she was going to burst into tears. “We can’t just sit down here forever! There has to be somepony here that can help us get out of here b-before that happens!”

“Well…the best way we can do is try to see if somepony is nearby.” Derpy said softly. “That’s the only thing we can do right now. Unless there is somepony trying to look for us here at this very moment, Amethyst being one of them.”

Suddenly, the due felt the broken roof creak and crack, small splinters falling to the ground and all around a frightened Derpy and Dinky. They shrieked and huddled close to one another, thinking that they were close to getting smothered. That fear was quickly washed away when they heard a voice, one that almost made it seem that Derpy’s earlier theory was current.

“Mom, Dinky! Are you guys in there?!” Amethyst shouted form outside of the broke roof, sounding to be panicked and frantic. “Mom, Dinky, please…please answer me! Can you hear me?!”

Dinky wasted no time in answering. “Big sis! Big sis Ame! We’re here, we’re both here!” She cried, her golden yellow tail skirt whipping back and forth. “Please, you gotta help us, we can’t get out of here!”

“It’s alright guys, don’t worry, I’m going to get you out!” Amethyst said, sounding calmer. “I have somepony who can help me get you back up while I hold the opening!”

Dinky and Derpy exchanged looks to one another at this little piece of information, but before they could reply back, Zephyr’s voice cut through. “Ms. Hooves?! Ms. Hooves I need to you tell if you can hear me?! Are you able to hear me?!”

“Y…y-yes, I am!” Derpy replied, recognizing the voice as one only a guard would use. “Who are you?!”

“I’m Zephyr Dragon Shield Shenron, the third in command of the Solar Division, and I’m here to help you get your daughter out!” Zephyr replied, wasting no time in getting to business. “Now, I need you to tell me where exactly you are right now!”

“I…I can’t really tell. I guess I’m somewhere where there’s a really big space around here.” Derpy replied, looking around the space as Dinky lit it with her horn. “Yeah, that’s it I’m in a big space from under here, and I’m pretty sure I’m close to where you are!”

“You think I’m close?! Okay, hold on and let me do something!” Zephyr replied back, the stomping of hooves following a couple of seconds later. “Can you hear that?! If you can, can you tell me how close it is?!”

“Y-yes, I can you’re really close to me and Dinky!” Derpy replied, her expression brightening as she nearly tried to sit up. “You and Amethyst are just above us, maybe just several feet away from us even!”

“Oh, thank Faust…” Amethyst’s sigh of relieved could be head from out of the fallen roof. “Now we don’t have to waste any more time looking for them.”

“That came a bit sooner than I thought.” Zephyr said lowly, his voice sounding softer. Muffled conversing went between Amethyst and Zephyr for some time, leading Dinky and Derpy to think that they were trying to formulate a plan. “Alright, Ms. Hooves, Dinky, whatever you do, don’t move okay? Me and Amethyst are going to try to find some way to get inside so we can try to get you out! If you’re in a compromising position, then don’t move in any way that may make the roof give way, alright?!”

Derpy found herself blushing, the last sentence making her embarrassed for some unknown reason. ‘C-compromising…position? Did he have to make it sound like that? That sounded like I was opening my legs for him to see!’ She fought the blush of her face before responding, “Y-yes, we understand! We don’t go anywhere; we’ll wait for the two of you down here!”

“Alright, just wait for just a minute Mom, little sis!” Amethyst shouted from above. “We’ll get you out of there as soon as we can!”

“Oh don’t worry sweetie, take your time, relax!” Derpy said as she waved her hoof, despite knowing Amethyst couldn’t see it. “We have it under control here; we have everything, completely under control!”

No sooner did Derpy say these words, as if to prove her wrong, larger, more fatal looking pieces of wood fell from within the pile. One of them ended up getting so close that it almost punctured the top of Dinky’s head, and it was only thanks to her leaping away that she did not get a fractured skull. Derpy’s crossed eyes bulged at what she had just seen, and that was all that it took for Derpy to change her mind.

“Um, on second thought there, Ame…” She said fearfully, laughing nervously as Dinky clung to her. “…you may wanna pick up the pace a little bit!”

“M-mama…I’m scared.” Dinky whined as the wood began to creak and crack even more around them. “A-are we going to get buried alive?”

“No baby, we’re not; there’s no way I’m gonna let that happen to us.” Derpy stated firmly, holding her daughter close. “Neither me or your big sister Amethyst will let that happen.” She looked up into the darkness as Dinky buried her face in her chest. ‘And especially not that sexy sounding guard up there.’

It didn’t any more than a minute for a bright magenta aura to encase a section of the crumbled wooden roof before it was slowly pulled apart. A hole suddenly made itself known as soft moonlight night touched the floor and expended. Looking up, Derpy and Dinky could see the figures of Amethyst and Zephyr, the latter’s horn ignited while the former gleamed in his armor.

“Mom, Dinky!” Amethyst cried, her face creasing with joy. “You’re okay!”

“Not from where I’m standing where not!” Derpy retorted, her ears going back. “Still, I’m glad to see that you’re alright!”

“You may not be for long unfortunately.” Zephyr said, his eyes glowing as he peered into the large gape. “There’s still fire in some parts of the Town Square, and where you guys are right now may run the risk of you getting burned alive! I’m gonna need to get you guys out of there now, so hold on tight!”

Folding his armored wings, Zephyr leapt down the hole while Amethyst stayed above to keep the opening secure. He twisted his way through the fallen debree and got over to Derpy and Dinky in just a few seconds, the latter of which was staring up at him in awe.

“Sweet Faust, you’re in even worse condition than I thought!” Zephyr gasped, taking Derpy’s condition with horror. “Can you move?”

“A little bit…though I think my wings are in the worse condition.” Derpy replied, staring up at the stallion with a bit of a pink face. ‘Holy shit this stallion is hot…!’

“It looks like it…those wooden ends are digging into them pretty good.” Zephyr murmured as he examined the appendages. After mulling over his options, he looked over to Dinky and said in a gentle voice, “Alright honey, I’m going to need you to step back. I’m going to get your Mommy out from under here, but I don’t want you in the midst of it.”

“A-are you gonna try to lift it off of her?” Dinky asked, holding back a sniffle. “I-it looks like it’ll be too heavy for you mister.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be able to do it; I’ve lifted heavier things before.” Zephyr said with a wink as he walked over to the pegasus mare. Without another word, he put his claws under the wood he was able to properly grip and prepared himself. “Are you ready Ms. Hooves?”

“Y-yes, go for it honey.” Derpy replied as she bit her lip. “And please, just call be Derpy-agh!”

The silvery grey mare clenched her teeth as the royal blue stallion slowly lifted the wood off of her, his own teeth clenching at the strain. He gave no mention of it as he slowly raised the hoof higher and higher, as to not try to aggravate any wounds she had. Once she was sure she could move, Derpy scurried away from her spot on the floor, leaving a small trail of blood and droplets behind her. As soon as she was out of the immediate danger, Zephyr let the wood fall back down to the ground, and watched as Derpy staggered to her hooves.

“Well, it looks like you’re able to get yourself up miss.” Zephyr commented as he walked over to her. “Are you able to fly?”

Derpy spread her wings, taking in the damage and blood that covered their grey features. “No, it doesn’t look like I can. You may have to carry me out of this hole sweetie.” She replied, glancing over at the larger flyer. “You don’t mind that, do you?”

“No, course I don’t miss.” Zephyr said, shrugging as he chuckled. “Besides, my Mom always said that armor like this meant that I’d have beautiful mares drawn to me in some way or another. Of course, that’s not to say I’m trying to draw you to me.”

“Don’t worry, I know what you mean.” Derpy said, walking over and hoisting herself on her back, Dinky following a moment later. “And I have to admit, you do look pretty sexy in this armor…looks like your mother was right about you attracting mares like that.”

“Indeed, she was.” Zephyr smirked, spreading his wings and taking off out of the hole. Amethyst, who had been watching the exchange the entire time, finally let go of the gape in the wood, leaping off of it just as it began to fall. Luckily for the unicorn, she leapt off just in time, and she raced to her mother and little sister the second Zephyr set them on the ground.

“Dinky, Mom, thank Faust, you’re finally back!” Amethyst cried, hugging both the filly and mare around their necks. Her eyes closed as she struggled to hold back a sob of relief. “I…I-I thought I was never going t-to get you out. The smoke...i-it was spreading…and it was entering where you guys were trapped…I…I-I thought you would’ve.”

“Shhhhhh, it’s okay my little Ame. We’re alright now. Well, mainly Dinky, but we’re both okay now.” Derpy soothed, running a hoof down her eldest daughter’s back. She looked over at Zephyr, who was nursing the wound on his neck. “Thank you for that Zephyr, I’m so glad that you saved me and my little girl from dying under there. If not by the fire, but by the inhalation of smoke, and that would’ve been just as bad.”

Zephyr shook his head, holding armored claw turned hoof up to Derpy and ignoring the blood that stained it. “Think nothing of it, Ms. Derpy; I was only doing what needed to be done. Saving civilians that are in need of saving…as is my duty as a Solar Royal Guard.”

“Well, aren’t you the humble young stud?” Derpy crooned, her thankful tone gaining a sweet and sensual edge to it. “Exactly what I’d expect from a young stallion like you. I’ll have to remind myself to give you a proper thank you for saving me and my daughter from certain death~.” She giggled softly as she reached out and ran a hoof under his chin. “You deserve no less, especially from somepony like me~.”

Zephyr blushed at the mare’s tender and motherly touch, feeling himself getting worked up where his inner thighs were. Before he could say anything, he felt a powerful surge of magic burst out from behind him, causing him to spin around instinctively. His look of defiance turned into one of embarrassed shock when he found himself looking into the eyes of Celestia herself.

“Your Majesty!” He said, fighting down the urge to bow, for he knew it was not the time. “Y-you’re back, a-and so soon!”

“Yes, I am, and not a moment too soon.” She replied, glancing momentarily at the Hooves Family, and then back at Zephyr. “I take it that you got everything under control here?”

“Well, other than still needing to put the fire out, and helping a few more civilians, things have begun to calm down here, finally.” Zephyr said, giving a quick glance at Derpy. “Are you back here because you need me for that other urgent assignment?”

“Yes, I do.” Celestia nodded, one of her wings spreading to wrap around Derpy and her daughter’s much to their surprise and elation. “Here, allow me to assist you some, you’ll need all your strength for what you’re about to.”

Zephyr gave a pause, sensing something about his Queen’s words that made his stomach clench a bit. “Forgive my straightforwardness my Queen but…what is it your implying?”

“Let’s just say that by the time this night is finally over…” Celestia said, looking the Solar Division third in command right in the eyes. “…you’ll probably have all of your powers used to their limit; basic, and main.”

“I…I-I’m sorry darling, b-but could you r-repeat that p-please?” Rarity asked, looking at Goku as if she didn’t hear what she had said. “I could’ve s-sword that you s-said that, t-the Elements a-are in the…E-E-Everfree F-Forest…”

“Yes Rarity, that’s exactly what I said.” Goku said firmly, her expression not changing. “The Elements of Harmony are indeed in the chaotic wilderness of the Everfree Forest.”

Before anypony could speak, Goku flipped the book around and showed the open pages over to the rest of the mares and foals. All of them, minutes Fluttershy and Twilight, gathered around and took a deep look on the page that said the Element’s location. Each of their eyes widened further, and they all backed away, lost in their own thoughts.

“I…I-I can’t believe it.” Twilight squeaked, her whole body shaking on the spot. “T-the Elements of H-Harmony a-are really i-in t-the Everfree forest? The wildest, untamed, most unpredictable and dangerous forest known to all pony kind?! Said to have been created by the Savage Queen Estelle Earthbender herself?!”

“The very same one, Twilight.” Goku replied softly. “In case you all didn’t know, I had read about the Everfree Forest before, sometime while I was still living in Canterlot as a filly. It told of how the Everfree Forest had emerged sometime after the defeat of Discord, and how it grew around Celestia and Luna’s old castle. It also told of the many wild beasts and creatures that all appeared in it sometime after the forest was given life.”

“Ah…can’t believe it. Who would’ve thought them Elements would be located in…there o’ all places.” Applejack breathed, a lost look on her face. “Out of all the places that I expected them to be, the Everfree Forest was the last place that I would expect them to be.”

“Yeah, same here.” Rainbow Dash nodded, still trying to get over the shock herself. “I mean, who would think to look there?! I didn’t even know that the Queens had even been in that there, let alone lived in it until now!”

“Well, Queen Celly did warn us that we probably wouldn’t like where the Elements were last left behind.” Pinkie Pie pointed out. “Although, I have to admit; even I wasn’t expecting the Elements to actually be there!”

“I was.” Fluttershy pipped up, making everypony turn to her. “I got a, um, sinking feeling in my gut that the Everfree Forest was the place that we were going to be searching for the Elements. I even suspected it when the Queen said that we may not like where we were supposed to look for them.”

“Y-you did?” Twilight asked, shakily getting back to her hooves. “H-h-how did you m-manage to guess t-that?”

Fluttershy looked over at the lavender unicorn. “I could tell just by her body language, that the place that she was going to tell us where the Elements were, was one that we were not going to like. I developed a knack for reading ponies body language to a certain point, where I can tell what they’re feeling. So, I had a pretty good idea as to what Queen Celestia was going to say about the Elements location. I could even sense it coming from you Twilight, while you were panicking, and it told me that we’d have to search in the Everfree Forest.”

Snowflake narrowed her sea green slitted eyes. “Fluttershy, darling, not that I’m trying to accuse you of anything, but…I get the feeling that there’s more to it.” She said softly, yet skeptically. “Is there something that you’re not telling us about all of this?”

“Snowflake!” Midnight chastised, glaring sternly at the mountain blue thestral. “How could you say something like that? Fluttershy would never hide something from us about the one thing that our sister and her friends are supposed to be looking for! Especially in a place that none of us have ever been into before!”

“No Midnight it’s okay.” Fluttershy said, holding up a hoof to stop the beetle black Thestral in her scolding. “You see, I had a feeling that Queen Celestia was going to say that we should look in the Everfree Forest for the Elements of Harmony. Because…it’s not entirely uninhabited by ponies.”

A look of confusion made its way to Goku’s face. “What do you mean by that Fluttershy?”

The veterinarian paws at the ground, her mane spilling over her face. “I…I never really told anypony this, because I didn’t really want to get rallied with questions and accusations. But, since you’re all here, I-I feel like I can tell you.”

“Tell us what dear?” Snowflake asked. “What is about the Everfree Forest that you want us to know?”

“W-well…you see, I…I, um…” Fluttershy said, running a hoof down her mane as she attempted to form words into her mouth. She glanced over at Scootaloo, who was gave her a silent gesture to continue, before she finally spat it out. “I…I-I live in the edge of the Everfree Forest.”

“You…you do?!” Midnight asked, her eyes widened in shock as both her sisters gasped. “You actually live on the edge of the words most dangerous wildernesses?”

“Eeyup, she most certainly does.” Applejack replied, giving a little snort. “Ah’ll be honest, when Ah first saw Fluttershy again, Ah didn’t really believe that she’d have the guts to set up a home in a forest as crazy as that one. No offense t’ her, but somepony would have t’ be crazy to even think about livin’ anywhere near someplace like that.” The farmer rubbed the back of her head. “When she took me t’ her home and showed me her backyard, she took me through the woods in it and…well, Ah saw it. All o’ them giant trees and that freaky magic it forest gives off. After that, Ah, uh…never really went that far int’ Fluttershy’s backyard again.”

“Well I for one, did believe our dear Fluttershy.” Rarity said curtly. “I did not see any reason as to why she would lie, let along joke about something as big as living near somewhere as horrid as the Everfree. Anypony that would be brave enough to admit something like that, and be so serious about it can’t possibly by lying through their teeth.” The alabaster Unicorn shrunk back a bit at Fluttershy’s stern glare. “N-not that I’m saying that the Everfree really is horrid, nor are any of the creatures in it. But, it just makes me feel that way. B-but you understand what I’m trying to say right darling?”

Fluttershy said nothing, just continuing to frown at Rarity with that stern disapproving look in his eyes. At some point it hardened even further as her eyes gave a faint bright orange glow, making Rarity flinch.

“R-right of course.” She said weakly, looking off to the side. “I’ll just…be silent now.”

“Wow Fluttershy. I…I never thought that you’d chose to live near the Everfree Forest of all places.” Goku said, regaining her composure. “Then again, considering you’re a mare that likes to keep her privacy and likes to be around animals, I can see why.”

“Well, I sure can’t!” Rainbow Dash said crassly, frowning down at Fluttershy. “I know you like your little animals and being around nature and all Fluttershy but come on! Don’t you think that this is stretching shit a little bit? You’re living right next to what has to be considered the most dangerous place in the fucking word! The Everfree Forest spans from here, all the way to the edge of Foal Mountain, over that into Hallow Shades, and even further across Baltimare and Fillydelphia! There are so many different animals in there that can pop out of there and snag one of your animals and even your sister! What if something happens over at your place and Scoots is there in the middle of it and you’re not able to keep her safe?!”

“Dash, I am well aware of the risks that I’m taking in living so close to a forest that can kill a pony before they can really venture into it.” Fluttershy said firmly, locking her stern glare right onto the cyan mare. “I am also aware of what the animals in that same forest that pose many different dangers should Scootaloo be caught in the middle of it. I’m not stupid, nor am I naïve in what I’m doing, and I know exactly what I’m getting myself into.”

“I didn’t say you were-”

“Let me finish please.” Fluttershy cut in, her authoritative tone cutting the athlete off like she had been struck by lightning. “It is also because of those same reasons that I’m living so close to the Everfree Forest. So, I can learn all that I know about it, and the animals that live there, and what dangers they may possess. That way, when I do confront front them, I’ll be more prepared for those same dangers, so the chances of me surviving will be heightened. I’m also passing on those very same things onto Scootaloo, so she’ll also be prepared to face them on her own, should that day come that her friends won’t be able to, should they not be able to.”

Twilight blinked, a look of surprise coming to her face. “You…you are?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I am. I admit, I did decide to live near the Everfree Forest, so I can learn about the animals that live in it, rather than the ones we already know. However, the other reason was the one that I just explained, because these animals are on an entirely different level than the ones that I’m sure all of you know.”

The yellow pegasus stepped away so she could look all her friends in the eyes. “There are lions the size of Appleoosan Buffalo, with the wings of a dragon and tails of a scorpion, able to breath fire like an actual dragon if they wanted. Draconic cats that live in clans bigger than any lion pride, with the teeth of a Saber Tooth Cat, happy to eat the meat of any living creature. Raptors the size of houses, that have the ability to control weather like pegasi do, and are able to snatch large animals off of the ground. Rhino-sized bears with long muscular tails, wings of bats, and mouths full of acidic poisonous saliva that will melt the very meat off your bones. Multi-headed snake like sea beasts, that’ll happily gobble you up after they’ve drowned you, lurking deep beneath the seas, along with so many other aquatic predators. Large cave dwelling wolfish bat-like creatures ready to snatch you up the second the sun sets and strip you down to bone until every last bit of flesh is gone. Wolves made of wood that will gladly chase you down to the ends of the Everfree itself, able to go into another form entirely. Felines that run and fly across the vast plains and skies, looking for prey to chase down, and don’t even get me started about the dragons that live there.”

“D…d-d-dragons?!” Rarity shrieked, her tail skirt tucked between her legs. “T-there are r-really dragonsinside of the E-Everfree Forest?!”

“Yes, there are. Many of them than even I can care to count.” Fluttershy nodded, frowning at the alabaster unicorn. “The Dragons in the Dragon Lands, Dragon’s Lair, North and South Polar Lair are scary enough, but the ones in the Everfree…are on in an entirely different level. So much so that you really don’t want to meet them unless you know for sure that they won’t harm you, which is highly unlikely.” She looked away, doing so that made her look like she no longer had the courage to stand up to her friends. ‘And that’s not even getting started about all of the creatures that’re in the continent of Marelaska, and the creatures in the Undiscovered West. I’m so glad that we don’t have to find the Elements in either…now that would be really bad.’

Zephyr shot a look at the pink maned mare. 'She has no idea...'

“Gosh…Ah knew that we’d would be facin’ a few critters here an’ there when we get int’ that forest, but…land sakes!” Applejack exclaimed said, looking to be getting dizzy. “We’ll have t’ face that many critters, from th’ ground, water, an’ in th’ air?! Ah’m feelin’ dizzy jus’ thinkin’ ‘bout all o’ that, an’ we ain’t even in th’ forest yet!”

“Same here darling.” Rarity nodded said, using a hoof to fan her face. “It looks that we have our work a lotmore cut out for them than we thought it would be.”

“Yeah, we sure do, and it only adds to just how much danger my brother and all of your sisters are in right now.” Goku said, baring her canines slightly. “Still, as dangerous as the animals in the Everfree Forest are, we really shouldn’t let that deter us. Don’t forget, that all nine of us come from the Secret Seven Clans of Equestria, so that means that we have a much bigger chance in the Everfree than anypony that’s not. Another thing is that one of us has plenty of knowledge about the animals in it, and can tell us what we need to do to ensure nothing to grave happens. One more thing, is that I’m a Nightstalker and a Shenron, two of the top ten most powerful of the seven clans. So, there’s an even bigger chance of us to emerge from the Everfree alive, as long as we use our powers to work together.”

“That’s a very well speculated thought there Goku.” Twilight said quietly. “Seven of us are from clans, one of us has adequate knowledge of the Everfree, and three of us are thestrals with the powers of dragons! If we combine all of those traits and accessories, the we may have a chance to save our sisters and defeat Nightmare Moon!”

“Yeah, we just might be able to!” Pinkie Pie nodded. “You know, I’ve never actually been inside the Everfree Forest myself. I’ve only been told stories by my parents back when I was living on the farm, and Mr. and Mrs. Cake when I moved to Ponyville. So, I never really knew for sure what it was like being inside there.” A wide grin made its way across her face she started bouncing in excitement. “Now I get to experience it for the very first time, and after everything that Fluttershy said about it, I’m even more excited! So many places and animals that I’ve never seen before in my life with all of these super-duper crazy abilities?! Oh, it’s gonna be so much fun!”

“Pinkie Pie, I can hardly see what’s going to be fun about getting eaten by so many different creatures in a forest that nopony would dare set hoof into.” Rarity said flatly, sending a deadpan look to the bubblegum pink Earth Pony. “Still, I do agree with what our dear Twilight has said. With the power we have, and what Fluttershy knows about the Everfree Forest, I think it can be said that we do have a chance at getting back here as soon as possible.”

“Oh yeah! I’m so ready to kick some Nightmare Moon ass to the end of Equestria!” Rainbow grinned cockily, shooting her right forehoof into the air. “Come on everypony, let’s do this thing!”

“Wait a minute!” Twilight shouted, encasing the mare in an aura of her magic and stopping her in midair. “We can’t go off now, there are still so many things that we haven’t done to prepare for our quest!”

“Like what?!” Rainbow demanded, starting to get annoyed. “We’ve already been told what we needed to know and what we have to do. So why can’t we just go into that damned forest already and get our sister’s back?!”

“Well, fer one, that Zephyr stallion ain’t here yet, and we’re gonna need at least one guard to help protect us!” Applejack replied, stomping a hoof. “Second, we ain’t got nothin’ with us that’ll help us make our way through that forest! We ain’t got no maps, no food, no extra items, none o’ that except th’ powers we were blessed with! Do ya really think that jus’ that is gonna help git t’ that Nightmare Moon varmint?!”

“Why wouldn’t it?!” Rainbow asked, turning to face Applejack. “I mean, it’s just a forest with a bunch of bloodthirsty fucking monsters that only want to eat us, right? All we have to do is just blast through them and that will be it!”

Spike, who was silent all throughout the girl's conversing, suddenly leapt up to Rainbow, slamming a clenched claw on the back of the cyan mare’s head. “That’s not how it works you damn idiot!” He shouted, watching as Rainbow fell to the floor, a lump growing on her head as her eyes swirled. “Those so called, ‘bloodthirsty beasts’, as you called the are a lot smarter than you’re giving them credit for! Aside from the different species, those animals can be just as smart as we are! They’re not just mindless souls that evolved to live in the forest that Estelle Earthbender created so many centuries ago! They can think, they can plan, and, if given the fucking chance, they can use our powers and strengths against us in ways that will ensure that they can make a meal out of all of you!”

Spike took a few deep breaths as he put a claw to his face, running them across the scars on it. “If anypony knows that, I do…I experienced first claw, just what those animals are capable off, and the power they possess.” He growled and glared down at Rainbow Dash. “You cannot take them lightly for even a moment, not once! Just one slip up and you will be dead, dragged into the darkness of that forest, never to be fucking seen again!”

“Spike is right. That forest is not something you should underestimate Rainbow, let alone its inhabitants.” Goku nodded as Twilight walked over and hugged the draconic colt. “Which is why we need all that we can get so we can be as prepared for anything that may come at us from within there. In a place like that, survival is crucial. There is absolutely no room for error, or recklessness.”

“Precisely.” Rarity said curtly, staring disapprovingly at Rainbow. “To top it off, that reckless of yours will only serve to get you killed. If that happens, who will be there to save your sister and ours, let alone Goku’s brother? The rest of us may be still alive, but we’ll also have one less pony to help us, thus decreasing the odds stacked in our favor.”

“And before you know it, our party will be over before you know it.” Pinkie whimpered, her fur turning a bit blue. “Along with Melon Cake and the rest of the foals’ own party…”

At this, Rainbow Dash winced, a look of guilt coming to her face as she slowly hovered down into the ground. “Yeah…yeah, you guys are right.”

“Good, I’m glad you understand now Dash.” Fluttershy nodded calmly. “We’ll get to the children soon. I know we will. We just can’t do it without using our heads first.”

“True, which is why we should prepare some…at least until Zephyr gets back, or Queen Celestia brings him back.” Goku said as she turned to Twilight. “Twilight, is there anything that you have in your stock that will help us in our journey in the Everfree?”

Twilight was already heading towards the bookshelves before she even knew what she was doing, her horn igniting to open the bottom drawers. In her magical grasp, came a multitude of items, be it maps, basic medical equipment, and even a few weapons. She floated them to the center of the room and set them down in front of her friends. “I had asked Celestia some time ago if I could have some of her equipment from her travels. She gave me things like a first-aid kit, weapons for anything or anypony that may try to harm me, and even some maps she had made in her own journeys into the Everfree forest. They each shows which routes that we can take while we’re there, but I don’t want to take my chances in taking just one. So, I’m taking a few extra just in case.”

Snowflake and Midnight took a few steps closer, curious as to what the maps looked like while the others discussed which route to take. Both of them were taken aback by just how big they were, even more so by forest that was imprinted on the map itself. “Oh my…it is far bigger than I thought that it would be. When you look at it like this, you can only imagine just how big it is when you actually enter it.”

“Uh-huh…and just look at all the different spots here. The Death Raptor Hilltops, the Everfree Boneyard, the Aqua King Sea, the Farukonchītā Plains...and that’s just only some.” Midnight said as she took in the different red circled spots on the map. As she looked within the center of the map, and gasped at what was shown. “Oh, my goodness! Girls, look!”

“…What th’ hell?” Applejack asked, her eyes narrowing when she saw what looked to be civilization circled in green. “What in tarnation are those places?”

Goku took a closer look at the spots on the map that looked to be villages, and she gasped in surprise. “Huh…so those places are there two huh?”

“What places?” Rainbow asked, looking up at the tan thestral. “What is it you see there?”

“…Girls, I’m not sure if you guys heard about this, but Queen Celestia had ended up discovering some more populations somewhere in the Everfree sometime ago. Both of which are populated by bat ponies, and I’m pretty sure some of them are from my mother’s branch. Though my mother was born in Lunar Bay, and not in the Everfree Forest.” Goku replied, looking at each of her friends. “It was only confirmed about four years ago by the thestrals in Hollow Shades, but there are actually a couple of other villages stretched around the forest.”

“Really?! There is more than one town in there?!” Pinkie gasped, planting her face right inside one of the maps, her eyes moving around like microscopes. “No way, how in the heck is that even possible?! I thought only Hollow Shadows was the only one!”

“Well, it looks like many of you had thought wrong about that.” Fluttershy said, looking far less surprised than the other girls. “I have to say, even I was pretty shocked when I found out there were more populations in the Everfree. But after I did some searching and…confirming, I could no longer doubt that they existed anymore.” She blew a strand of mane from her face. ‘Not that I really doubted that more towns and villages could be found there, especially with ponies like Goku in them. There is only one pony tribe that can survive in a place as dangerous as this.’ Her eyes trailed over to Goku, locked eyes with her for a brief moment. ‘And it looks like I’m not the only one who knew either…’

“I’m, afraid that I don’t understand darling.” Rarity said, frowning at the gentle mare. “How is it that you know there were more towns in this forest? If there are even any more villages in there at all aside from Hollow Shades? I’ve never seen you once anywhere near that place, other than the fact you live on the very edge of it.”

Fluttershy hung her head, her pink mane falling in front of her eyes. “That…is a conversation I’d like to save for another time, please.” She stated, lifting her head to look at Twilight as the unicorn was about to speak. “And before you ask, no, Twilight, I won’t to go into detail about it right now. I understand that you’re curious, but please…not now.”

Twilight blushed at how Fluttershy was so quick to know what she was going to ask before she even had the chance to say it. Before she could apologize, they heard the doors to the library creak open, allowing them to see Zephyr trotting inside, his armored hooves clanking against the floor. The blood on his neck and armor were gone, as was the bite mark, but a scar could clearly be seen over it, showing where he had been struck.

“I’m here everypony. Sorry that I’m late. I have some last-minute saving that I needed to do.” He said as he adjusted the draconic helmet on his head. “Are you guys ready to head off now?”

“Oh, Zephyr, you’ve made it.” Snowflake replied, smiling happily. “You’re just in time dear. Twilight and the girls were just preparing to head out. We just need to get a few more items with us before we go. Did the Queen tell you where we’d be going?”

Zephyr cringed at this, the look on his face telling Snowflake all that he needed to know. “Yeah, she said…we’ll be going into the Everfree Forest to search for Nightmare Moon.” He shuddered as he fought to keep his body from shaking. “Of all the places I was expected to help you look, that was the last place that I was expecting to do so.”

“Yer not th’ only one t’ think that hon’.” Applejack said, shaking her head like she still couldn’t believe where they would be going. “Still, there ain’t no goin’ back now…we’re jus’ gonna have t’ like it an’ love it, given why we’re goin’ there in th’ first place.” Her ears perked up. "Oh, an' we may also need to stop my our own places t' get some extra gear...well, if any of us have it that is."

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Pinkie exclaims, her eyes nearly bulging. "I need to go back to Sugarcube Corner to get my battle vest and straw hat! Shoot, why didn't I remember it at a time like this?!"

Rarity side-eyed Pinkie. "Why, if I may ask, do you need something like that, Pinkie Pie?"

"You'll see~." Pinkie winked, giggling slyly.

"While I do think that may put us a little behind, I won't object if any of you want to make quick stops to your homes." Zephyr said, pulling at the armor encasing him. "We'll have to make it quick though; time is off the essence, and we won't get anywhere by wasting it."

“Just don’t try to slow us down buddy.” Rainbow stated, crossing her forelegs as she hovered above the stallion. “You may be a guard, but that doesn’t mean that we’re some bunch of fucking damsels in distress that need to be saved every single second. So don’t even think of treating us as such, or your ass is gonna get left behind. That is, after I slice you up with my three swords, ya got that?”

Goku growled, lashing her tail out and letting it wrap around the mare before pulling her to the ground. “Knock it off Dash!”

“Duly noted, I know that you girls can handle yourselves. I’m not one of those stallions who things that mares the ones that always need protection.” Zephyr stated dryly, giving a little snort. “Still, if I feel that I need to step in, I will, no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

“Okay, it looks we’ll have what we need to help us if we get lost or attacked by one of the animals.” Twilight said, putting the maps, the medical kit, and the combat weapons in some saddle bags she had taken out. “Now the only thing we need is…food!”

“Oh yes, we totally need food.” Goku said, giving a firm nod. “There’s no telling how long this night will be now that Nightmare Moon’s brought it back again. So, we’re going to need plenty of protein to keep us going along the way.” Her tongue ran across her lips as a feral grin came to her muzzle. “I may also do some hunting if I get the chance…something tells that I’ll need plenty of meat.”

“So, you might go out hunting hm?” Zephyr grinned as well, walking closer to Goku. “Mind of I join you there, G?”

The tan thestral giggled. “Knock yourself out Zephie…I know we’re both going to have a wonderful time doing it~.”

“Oh, those two…” Midnight sighed with a gentle head shake.

“Well then, why don’t we help ya with makin’ some fritters Twi?” Applejack offered. “We may want to make it quick though. Th’ more time we waste, th’ longer it’ll take fer us t’ git t’ our sisters away from that monster.” A cough from Fluttershy made her hastily add, “a-and free Queen Luna.”

“I appreciate the offer AJ, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.” Twilight said, waving a hoof. “Besides I already have somepony who can cook faster than you can buck the apples of your trees.”

As she said this, she slowly looked over at Spike, who was being held by Snowflake as he pawed at the ground. When he felt he was being looked at, he saw that everypony’s eyes on him, with Twilight giving him a smile that was just a bit too sweet to be her usual one. Already knowing what she was going to ask, the purple dragon cub sighed and gave her a deadpan look.

“I know what you’re going to ask…” He said, holding a claw up. “…you want me to set up the snacks and lunch for you right?”

“If you would be so kind to do so, Spikey-Wikey?” Rarity cooed seductively, batting her eyelashes at him. “Oh pretty, pretty please? I’ll give you a nice big basket load of gemstones if you do~.”

Spike stared blankly at Rarity, Twilight, and the other girls for a moment or two, seeing Fluttershy look at them disapprovingly before looking at him more sympathetically. With another sigh, he nodded and turned tail for the kitchen, ignoring the sweet thank you's he got from Twilight and Rarity. Along with the scolding that they got getting from Fluttershy just a few seconds later.

“Sweet Lauren Holy Faust Lifegiver…” He said to himself, running a claw down his face. “The things I do for love...”

I have to admit, I had a bit of fun writing the second half of the chapter, mainly describing what the girls would expect to find when they went into the Everfree Forest. Now, the change that I made to the first part is where Nurse Redheart would be alerted by Zephyr to head to Ponyville, something that now, looking back...wasn't the best thing to do. Now, I will give some hint of him telling her to do so if I'm able to include her in one of the chapters, if I'm able to. For now, we'll just take that part out and replace it with Zephyr saving Derpy and Dinky from being crushed to death and dying of smoke inhalation. I also enjoyed having Derpy acting a little flirtatious afterwards, not a dull moment with our favorite muffin loving cross-eyed pegasus huh?!

Now, as for the Everfree itself, yes, I had decided to at a couple more populations in my AU version of the Everfree Forest, aside from Hollow Shades, where I will have the bat ponies living in this timeline. I'm also going to be changing the location of the Castle of the Two Sisters to somewhere in the center the Everfree Forest, just behind Rambling Rock Ridge. Mainly because I'll be changing location of one of the many populations that I'll have inside of the Everfree Forest be at the same section where the abandoned castle is in the canon timeline on the Equestrian map. Don't worry, I'll be worth the wait when I go end up going to those places, for I am already planning something really big!!!

Next time: Queen Celestia Daybringer called for the Solar and Lunar Division to come together!!!