The sound of leaves being crunched were the only things that the seven mares and Zephyr could hear as they trekked through the Everfree Forest. The only thing that they could see was thick foliage, and large trees that practically crowded all around the girls as they walked in its thick density. The moon was the only light to guide them through, yet even that was somewhat obscured by the thick greenery surrounding them. They could hear the sounds of different animals all around them, putting most of them slightly on edge. It filled their minds with the thought that they may run into one of them and get attacked at any moment, even though they had a guard with them. The humidity and misty, almost foul air could be felt each of the mares, with Zephyr being the only one not bothered. It seeped its way into each of their nostrils like a skunk’s spray that it uses for defense, causing their noses to scrunch up do to how painful it felt.

There was one thing about the Everfree that really unnerved them, more so than any of the unsettling sounds filling their ears. Even Goku was unable to keep her fluffy fur from standing on end and her instincts to go a bit out of control. Raw, untamed, and wild levels of magic could be felt all around them, coming up in amounts that were so large and so powerful that it made the thestral feel out of place. Wild was the only way to describe it, and the environment they were in made that word very fitting in more than one sense. It made Goku feel a bit jealous that the thestrals that live here were able to survive in such a forest like this. Along with making her briefly wondered if she could get some sort of upgrade should she ever return again.

If another group were sent to retrieve the Elements of Harmony, then they’d feel like they were being suffocated and unable to continue on. That was what the rest of the girls were feeling right now, and wanted nothing more than to leave this forest as quickly as possible. Had it not been for their own large amounts of magic, their resilient guard, and their desire to save their siblings, they would’ve done just that. As much as they didn’t want to face it, they knew that they’d have to face the creatures of this forest eventually, and that it’d take their strength and brains to do so. They had yet to realize just how dangerous they’d be, and how many times they’d be one step away from being claimed by death.

“So...girls?” Zephyr asked tentatively after a long stretch of silence, deciding that he should try and break the tension. Much to his relief, it seemed to do the trick, for the girls seemed to relax somewhat, with a couple of them even turning to him curiously. “I know that this may seem like a stupid question, but…have any if you been inside the Everfree Forest before?”

“Not a day in mah life sugarcube.” Applejack replied bluntly as she trudged along the dirt path. The sounds of her hooves were somewhat muffled by the black boots she was wearing. All four of them having imprints of orange and yellow flames swirling around them. “This place gives off a really, really bad vibe that Ah jus’ can’t but mah hoof on fer some reason. Ah’m amazed that Granny Smith an’ th’ others even let me go in her with y’all, even though she seemed pretty against it, despite th’ Queen orderin’ us to.”

“I have actually.” Fluttershy murmured. “It wasn’t for anything major really. The only times I ever went into the Everfree was when one of my animal friends got lose and wondered off too far from my cottage, leaving me to follow their tracks and get them back out before they got eaten or lost.” She explained, looking up at the trees surrounding them, seeming to be lost in thought at the moment. “During those time, I did encounter some of the animals in here, and while things didn’t escalate to violently…let’s just say we both parted ways with more than a few scratches and bit marks.”

“Is that the only reason?” Goku asked contemplatively. “Or is that something else?”

“Whoa, wait a second there.” Zephyr said, looking back at Fluttershy before she could answer the thestral. “You mean to say that you actually went inside the Everfree Forest?”

“Yep, she sure has Zephyr! I never would’ve expected Fluttershy of all ponies would be brave enough to go in a place like this! That’s just not something that I see her usually doing!” Pinkie replied, bouncing in the very middle of the group with a skip in her step. She was currently adoring a red and yellow battle vest, while a large straw hat with a red ribbon could be seen sitting atop her head. “Then again, her cottage is just on the edge of the Everfree Forest, so it’s not all that surprising! I haven’t been inside it, but I always did wonder what it’d be like to be in a spooky forest such as this!”

“Well I for one, have never even set hoof in here!” Rarity replied hotly with a graceful toss of her head. She cringed in disgust when she stepped into a pile of mud, before proceeding to try to shake it off. “I mean, look at this place! This is not place that I would even consider living in for whatever reason! It’s too humid, too dark, and just too…too…icky! I could not stand to spend even a single day in a place like this, ugh!”

“For some reason, I believe you.” Zephyr murmured dryly. “I can tell just by looking at you that this is the last place you want to be in. That, and you’d rather be in a spa soaking in a nice steam room while getting a back massage and a facial.”

“Precisely!” Rarity all but wailed, running her hooves down her face. “Finally, somepony knows what I’m going through!”

“I’m pretty sure you all know what my answer is going to be.” Twilight said, her magic to lit their way through the forest. “I’ve lived in Canterlot for most of my life, and while I know about the Everfree, I’ve never set foot in it before, even during my visits here to see you all. I’ve only heard stories about it from my parents, brother and teachers. Like what kinds of creatures inhabit it and how it was created. So far, everything I was told about this place is pretty bad…especially about the type of magic it holds.”

“That’s an understatement of the century, Twi.” Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes as she balances the blue and white word strapped onto her back. “The things about the Everfree Forest aren’t just bad, they’re absolutely crazy! Everything about it is just completely unnatural, the way it looks, the animals, the amount of magic…even the weather itself! I’m all for going on awesome adventures and pulling off dangerous stunts, but seriously! Even I wouldn’t wanna do any of that here!”

“I don’t blame and of you for not wanting to come here.” Fluttershy said quietly. “This place holds many dangers that ponies that aren’t of our caliber are not able to handle. It’s so unpredictable and unreal in so many ways, that some ponies just can’t even comprehend how a forest like this can even exist. Of course, everypony knows that it was created by Discord, though it’s not really known for sure whether or not he, or somepony else created the animals that lived in here. I know one thing…each and every single creature here is dangerous in their own right, and this forest alone is dangerous enough as it is, with the animals only adding to it.” Her wings ruffled as she brushed some foliage out of her face. “And I have the scars to prove that theory.”

“So, you were actually attacked by the beasts here?” Zephyr asked, watching as Fluttershy nodded silently. The royal blue stallion looked the mare up and down, unable to see any markings on her buttermilk yellow fur. “I don’t really see any scars on you. Have they just faded overtime?”

“Oh, that’s because my furs grown over them over the years. None of them have been severe enough to be permanent anyway.” Fluttershy explained. “Why? Do you wanna see them?”

Zephyr quickly shook his head. “Oh no, no! That’s fine! I don’t really want to see the scars! I was just, um…wondering why you didn’t have any scars if you had any run ins with any animals here.”

“Are you sure aren’t just wanting get a look at Fluttershy’s curves and ass?” Rainbow asked, grinning teasingly at Zephyr. “You don’t have to be ashamed. It’s alright to be interested in a mare, especially ones that’re as hot as Fluttershy, especially me.”

“Y-you know that was so not what I was talking about!” Zephyr replied as his cheeks turned red with embarrassment. “I-I was just wondering what kind of scars Fluttershy had, is all.”

“Uh-huh, sure you were Zephyr.” Rainbow said, no buying Zephyr’s truthful statement. “That just sounds like an excuse to cover up you wanting to get a look under Fluttershy’s tail and see what kind of package she has.”

Zephyr froze, his ears pinning, growling, “It…it is not!”

“Alright, that’s enough Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said firmly. “Zephyr’s on mission to protects while we’re in the Everfree. The last thing he needs is you teasing him and filling his thoughts with ones of wanting to rut us into the ground.”

“What?” Rainbow Dash asked, raising a prismatic eyebrow. “What’s wrong with stallions like him having thoughts about mares like us? I just said there’s nothing wrong with him thinking that, since we’re all pretty hot as hay.”

“I never said that Zephyr was never allowed to have such…fantasies about mares.” Twilight said, her own cheeks gaining a red tint. “I’m just saying that now isn’t really the time to be prying in that particular subject. We have a mission to do right now, and we can’t have anything distracting us from it.”

“Awww, come on Twilight! No need to be such a party pooper.” Pinkie cooed. “Everypony needs to a good laugh every now and again to all of those icky feelings out of the way. All Dash is doing is trying to lighten the mood that’s all. What’s so wrong with that?”

Twilight glanced over at the party pony. “There’s nothing wrong with that Pinkie! I just…don’t want us to get too far off track. The more time we waste goofing off, the more time that Nightmare Moon has to come up with some sinister plan to succeed in her original plan in bringing Eternal Night to Equestria. Not to mention she has all that more time to do whatever she wants to Sheton and the rest of our sisters!”

This made the rest of the group flinch on response, their pained looks telling Twilight that they had not forgotten about that. They each looked at the lavender unicorn with eyes that ranged from sadness, to guilt, and even ones that were offensive. A twist knot of guilt suddenly washed over Twilight, and she quickly looked away, her ears falling limp.

“Yeah, we kind hadn’t forgotten ‘bout that Twilight, thanks.” Applejack said somewhat bitterly, her hat covering her eyes as she lowered her head. “As a matter o’ fact, that’s been on our minds since we even started this journey. Ya really thought that we had forgotten what Nightmare Moon did in the Town Square? Th’ looks o’ fear Apple Bloom an’ th’ rest o’ them youngin’s had when they were taken away? Th’ screams we heard ringin’ in our ears like a pony-runnin’ cider machine?”

“N-no, of course not!” Twilight replied quickly, waving her hooves. “I-I was just-”

“Well you made it sound like we did forget about why were’ here.” Fluttershy cut in, frowning at Twilight. “I know you don’t want us to forget about why we’re here Twilight, but we can’t just be thinking about our sister’s safety right now. If we’re constantly reminded about that, we won’t be able to focus or function on anything else, which includes our own survival. As confusing as it may sound, we need something to help clear our hears and keep a sound mind so we can do just that! If we don’t, we’ll be this forest’s next victims, and all our efforts will have been for naught!”

“Yeah exactly!” Rainbow nodded, gesturing to her fellow pegasus. “That’s what I was trying to do Twi; keep everypony from going nuts! It’s not like I’m not going to not give Nightmare Moon a face full of my hooves when we see her.”

“Y-you’re right, you’re both right.” Twilight backed off, turning back in front of the group. “I’m sorry.”

“No, we’re the ones who should be sorry dear, we weren’t quite thinking with our heads at the moment.” Rarity said gently as she shook her head. “Though I do agree with our dear Fluttershy, we do need somepony or something to keep ourselves sane while we’re in this forest.”

Goku glanced at Rarity. “Um, don’t you have that in me?”

“Well, yes, but you do tend to a little crazy if you’re in a fight, be it with a pony or animal.” The fashionista pointed out. “So, we’ll need somepony with a tell trained and disciplined mind to be level-headed enough to keep you from going too crazy.”

Zephyr shook his head, realizing what, or who, Rarity was obviously talking about. “You’re talking about me, aren’t you?”

“Yes darling~.” Rarity cooed, raising her tail skirt and brushing it under the stallion’s chin. “I mean you exactly~.”

“I do not go crazy when I’m in a fight Rarity!” Goku huffed as Zephyr blushed from Rarity’s sensual action. “Compared to a normal pony brawl, a Shenron going crazy in a fight is relatively normal, especially since we live for the thrill of battle. So, from where I see it, it’s actually a good thing if I get wild, because that way, that’ll ensure that none of you are fucked by anypony that decides to fuck any of you.” She giggled as she threw a foreleg around Rarity. “Because they’ll have to fuck with me first~.”

“I feel so sorry for anypony that Nightmare Moon’s going to get if that happens!” Rainbow laughed mirthfully. “It doesn’t matter how many ponies you have with you! You mess with Goku, she’s going to burn you, but not before she sucks you dry!”

Pinkie suddenly burst out into a fit of giggles. “Uh, Dashie, I don’t think that Goku’s going to be sucking any stallion’s whipped cream shooters when we get to Queen Moonie.”

A tick mark appeared on Rainbow’s head. “Not that kind of sucking Pinkie!” She shouted as she bonked Pinkie on her head. “I mean the kind of sucking that vampires do when they’re going to drink someponies blood! You know, since Goku does have fangs and all, even though she’s not a vampire herself!”

“Yeah, I know!” Pinkie nodded vigorously as a steaming lump appeared on her head. “That’s what I was saying! Because if Goku did that, she wouldn’t be able to suck any cream from any stallions that you say she’s gonna suck from!”

“Not that either!” The cyan mare screamed with shark teeth and comically white eyes. “I mean, when Goku sucks them dry of their magic when she bites them!”

“That’s what I mean!” Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at Rainbow. “If Goku did that, then she wouldn’t be able to really suck those ponies dry of their cream! And she wouldn’t be able to know how tasty it is!”

“NO! I…DAMMIT PINKIE!” Rainbow screamed, lightning bursting around her. “Are you trying to fucking piss me off?! Or do you seriously not get what I’m saying?!”

“Of course, I get it!” Pinkie huffed. “Your saying that it doesn’t matter who Goku goes up against, and that she’ll cook them into ponified cupcakes! But before she does that, she’s going to suck them dry, of every single drop of their whipped cream! And that wouldn’t be far to them, because I know everypony likes to get a taste of each other’s cream.” A half-lidded look came to Pinkie’s face as her tongue lolled out. “I know I do~…”

Rainbow’s face flushed a slightly bluer color, her right eye twitching. ‘She is fucking hopeless.’

By this point, most of the others were straight up laughing as the two mares unintentionally made Fluttershy’s earlier point be proven. Even Zephyr was chuckling as he tried to keep his focus and composure in the environment around him.

“Well, look who’s trying to lighten the mood now?” He murmured, adjusting the draconic helmet on his head. “You really got yourself an interesting group of friends here Goku.”

The tan thestral nodded merrily, wiping the tears from her eyes as she calmed down from her giggling. “Yeah, I really do, Zephyr. even though they are sometimes as annoying as all living fuck, Rainbow Dash especially, but that’s fine.” She sighed as she shook her mane from her face. “Because there aren’t any other mares that I’d chose to have to be my friends.”

“And we wouldn’t choose any other mare to be our friend aside from you either.” Fluttershy cooed. “Besides, who’d be there to keep Rainbow Dash, or even Twilight, and the rest of us from going insane?”

“Someone who has to have a head as levelled as mine.” Goku replied with a chuckle, draping a wing around the other mare. “Which, by the way, is something that I do not see happening any time soon.”

Rarity nodded in agreement, letting out a melodious chuckle. “Neither do I darling, neither do I~.”

“Hey now,” Applejack countered. “Ah’m one o’ th’ most levelheaded ones o’ this here group, so Ah should be able to keep everypony from actin’ like chickens.”

“Yeah, but that’s in very rare occasions with you AJ.” Goku said, side-eyeing the farmer. “While I don’t doubt that you’d be able to keep the girls in line, given you are a Sweet Apple Titan, you are not known for being particularly patient, like Dash. As much as you may not like to admit it, you temper is just as short as her’s, only by slightly less, but still pretty bad. Before very long, somepony will have to keep you from turning some unlucky pony into applesauce…or keep you from getting smothered by another thestral.” A frown came to her face. “Plus, you do tend to judge appearances and situations far too quickly by the first look, and that’s another innocent flaw you have.”

Applejack went red in the face. “Ah do not! There has not been one time that Ah have ever been so quick to assume things, even if they are what they seem!”

“Oh, really now?” Goku asked daringly, leaning her head in so close that her nose nearly touched the earth pony’s. “So, you’re saying that you didn’t accuse me and my sisters of stealing your apples from the orchard after you caught us napping in one of the trees?”

Applejack winced, her green eyes shooting to the ground as the embarrassing, yet fluffy, memory played in her head. She had indeed innocently accused Goku and her sisters of drinking from her trees after she found them in the orchard while taking a stroll. Truth be told there wasn’t really any evidence that they were really taking the apples, but Applejack had somehow got it into her head that they were stealing from them. It took the sight of Midnight cracking the ground with a hoof stomp to keep the farmer from trying-hence trying, to pummel them.

Of course, looking back on that, Applejack could freely admit to herself that Goku didn’t need her siblings help to defend herself against her. She had seen plenty of examples of just how strong Goku was, even whenever they sparred together to increase their clan powers. At the same time, in her defense, the thestral trio were technically trespassing on Sweet Apple Titan Property, so she really had no reason not to think they were just to find a quiet place for napping. Even if the way that they did it did not fit her standards of sleeping.

“Okay, ya got me there…Ah did jump t’ conclusions kinda.” Applejack sighed. “Still, ya can ya really blame me? Ya were roamin’ our property without our permission, and none o’ mah family had seen yers around there b’fore. So ya can’t really be that upset with me for bein’ upset that you were there without our knowledge.”

“Yes, we know, and we apologized for that, but that’s not what I mean.” Goku said, holding a hoof up. “What I’m emphasizing is that even if you run into somepony you’ve never seen before you should not be so quick to assume that they’re there for any harmful intent. Not that you should be wary, just…not to the point where you believe without a doubt, they’re on your property for that reason. Especially when you haven’t even heard their side of the story.”

“Y…you’re right, that was a might foolish o’ me.” Applejack muttered, remembering the scolding she got from her parents, grandmother, and older siblings for what she tried to do. “Ah guess Ah’m jus’ so protective of th’ farm that didn’t care who came on it. Anypony that even tried would have t’ answer t’ me, ‘r any o’ mah brothers an’ sisters. Lookin’ back on that, Ah can’t help but find it kinda funny…”

Goku giggled adorably. “Me too…you looked like you were going to pop a blood vessel and make one of your eyes as red as the apples on your flank.” She said, watching as Applejack unconsciously rubbed at her cutie mark. “But seriously, try not to do that again, especially since we’re in a place where the civilization is knownfor living dangerously. You pull what you tried to pull with me, Snowflake, and Midnight, with any of them, and you’ll find yourself looking a much brighter orange than you are now.”

Applejack paled, a shiver going down his spine. “Are…a-are the ponies here really that tough?”

“If they’re anything like me, yes.” Goku replied, looking back ahead of her and missing Applejack’s face going whiter. “Either way, I’m sure we’ll find out eventually.”

“You know, I find it pretty funny that you’re saying that without you, the rest of us would virtually go crazy if you’re not here to keep us together.” Twilight murmured, lookin cover at Goku. “As much as I do agree that you’d make a great peacemaker, don’t forget that I can be leader material as well. I admit, I do tend to kind of freak out from time to time-”

“Kind of? Really?”

“Okay, okay, I really tend to freak out sometimes.” Twilight glared up at a snickering Rainbow Dash, before turning back to the thestral beside her. “Still Goku, you can’t deny that I can help keep a group together to. I’ve done it plenty of times, even when you came dangerously close to burning someone up for threatening to beat me up while we went to school together.”

“Yes, you do.” Goku said giving a shrug. “Although your little freak outs are still pretty common, and boy are they fucking crazy! Hell, you are still absolutely petrified of eating cheese quesadillas, and you’re not even allergic to them!”

“Yes, they are still pretty scary.” Twilight sighed, before frowning at the tan thestral. “And I do not freak out over cheese quesadillas! T-they’re just so…” A chill went up her spine. “Cheesy...”

“Which is exaclty why you shouldn’t be so scared of them.” Zephyr said humorously. “They’re nothing but delectable sweet tasting crust covered sandwiches full of smooth creamy cheese that spread all over your tongue when you bite into them.”

“What’re you trying to do, make us hungry Zephyr?” Goku snorted softly, letting out melodious giggle. “Because if you are, then it’s starting to work.”

“Oh no, I’m just pointing out why there’s no reason to be scared of such foods.” Zephyr said, winking at Goku. “And why there the one of the best things that you could ever eat!”

“Maybe for you, but it’s not that way for me!” Twilight huffed. “I find it absolutely inconceivable that I would like something that I have a phobia of; let alone eat! It’s just…impossible! It’s scientifically impossible for that to have even a remote possibility of happening!”

“Whatever you say Twilight.” Goku shrugged, letting out a little giggle. “Still, you never know; maybe one day you’ll finally get over your phobia and gather enough bravery to try a quesadilla and find it to be quite satisfying~.”

“The say that I try a single one of those…cheesy items,” Twilight said, cringing in disgust. “…is the day that Spike tells me not to freak out over big tests and I don’t threaten to burn the scales off of his body.”

Pinkie Pie laughed out loud. “I can totally see something like that happening! Especially since I’ve seen it happen over a dozen times before!”

“Same here Pink.” Applejack nodded, letting out a chuckle of her own. “I’m amazed that Spike hasn’t tried t’ get away from Twi ‘cause o’ her lil’ episodes! Ah swear that boy has th’ patience of a saint!”

“That’s an understatement.” Rarity snorted dryly. “No offense to you Twilight, but I don’t think I could handle that many episodes with you. Even if it meant that I could get in contact with one of the most successful nobles in Canterlot City.”

“None taken Rarity.” Twilight sighed. “Honestly, even I’m impressed that Spike hasn’t decided to just kick the bucket with me yet. I really expected him to snap and let me know that he had enough.”

“Yeah well, you, me and Zephyr all know Spike, Twilight.” Goku giggled. “He’s too much of a sweetheart to let you know something like that. Especially since he’s been subjected to it all of his life, along with your own little sister. Plus, with how many times that’s happened I’m pretty sure it’s not really bothering him…at least nowhere near as much.”

“Yeah, you make a point there.” Twilight said, letting out a giggle of her own. “It’s funny, I’m the eldest one there and I’m supposed to be the one keeping them calm, yet they’re the ones keeping me calm.”

“I can literally smell the irony there.” Zephyr chuckled. “While some ponies would find it weird or funny, we’re not surprised. He is your Number One Assistant after all; as for Crescent Shield, she is…well…”

“Twilight’s Number One Crescent Moon?” Pinkie Pie guessed innocently. Upon seeing all of her friends raised eyebrows, she pouted. “What? The first part of her name is Crescent, and there is such a thing as a crescent moon, isn’t there?”

“Yeah, sure Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, chuckling. “Sure there is.”

“You know what? I think that has a nice ring to it.” Twilight said, thinking over Pinkie Pie’s words. “I think I’m gonna start calling Crescent that from now one whenever she and Spike are together. Something tells me that she’ll like that nickname a lot.”

“Oh, Ah bet she will.” Applejack smiled. “An’ Ah bet that Spike’s gonna be even more thrilled, cause he’s not going t’ be th’ only one being called something having ‘Number One’ in it.’”

“I think so too~!” Goku concluded, doing her best childish imitation of Spike. This earned her multiple fits of laughter form just about all of her friends, including Zephyr, the tension lifting from the group the more they did. By the time the laughter ended, the eight ponies suddenly found themselves outside the thick tree grove, and onto a long flat cliff edge. They could not stop the awe enveloping them as they took in the vastness of the wilderness, from the trees. To the mountains in the distance, to the endless sky that, that was dotted with countless stars.

“Wow…” Zephyr breathed in awe. “This place is just…just beautiful!”

“And fucking huge! Don’t forget huge!” Rainbow added with a gob-smacked expression. “I knew that it’d be big but…holy shit!”

“Ah’ll say sugar.” Applejack nodded. “Ah don’t think Ah can properly explain th’ size o’ this place…then again, this is mah first time bein’ in it.”

“Well, Rainbow Dash did say that the Everfree Forest spans from Ponyville, all the way to Foal Mountain, Fillydelphia and Baltimare, along with Hollow Shades.” Twilight pointed out, observing the landscape carefully over the cliff edge. “Still I have to agree, even I wasn’t expecting this place to be so large.”

“I did.” Goku said softly, walking ahead of the group to get a closer look. She closed her eyes and flicked her ears back and forth, inhaling the open air around her. “I have to say one thing though, even though this forest is supposed to be scary and chaotic, I can’t help but be amazed by just how beautiful it is.”

“Me neither.” Goku said softly, walking ahead of the group to get a closer look. She closed her eyes and flicked her ears back and forth, inhaling the open air around her. “I have to say one thing though, even though this forest is supposed to be scary and chaotic, I can’t help but see just how beautiful it is.”

“Oh, I’m so happy you think so.” Fluttershy said, smiling sweetly at the tan Thestral. “Many ponies that haven’t entered think that it’s horribly to look at, but I don’t see it that way. All wildernesses are beautiful in their own right, and the Everfree Forest is no exception.”

“You…actually find this place beautiful Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, aghast. “But…this is the Everfree Forest! A place full of vicious beasts, untamable weather and vegetation that is dangerous in their own way! How can a place like this have any kind of divinity or semblance of beauty?”

“I know it may seem difficult to understand Rarity...” Zephyr said gently. “…but ponies like me, Goku and Fluttershy just have this eye for noticing things about nature that we can help but find amazing. Sure, it may seem brutal, scary, and even violent and bloody at times, but…despite that, we can’t help but find an inner sense of beauty about nature that we can’t help but find captivating.” He looked back out at the forest, takin giant trees, streams of water, listening to the sounds of the animals roaming about. “To us Shenrons, Rosarios, Nightstalkers, and anypony that has an eye or love for nature, it’s just the most amazing things we can discover. Something we just can’t help but see over and over again.”

“Well…I can’t really see anything cool about it, but…if that’s how you guys feel, then I guess it’s cool with me.” Rainbow Dash said as she shrugged. “Still, I really don’t wanna waste all of this time sight-seeing; I wanna kick some Nightmare Moon ass! And we’re not going to get anywhere with that if we stay here looking at the trees all day! Hey, Twi, you’ve got that map there with you?”

“Yes Dash, I do…just give me a couple of seconds.” Twilight replied as she to rummaged through her left saddlebag. A moment later, she pulled out the map, and spread it out for everypony to see as she scanned over the map where the Everfree was. “Alright, we’re on the spot where the trail to the Castle to the Two Sisters is supposed stop here.” She pointed to a trail that was marked in the western part of the Everfree. “where we started and is supposed to go all the way up to…this place called Gaia Evergreen Galley.” Her hoof went up to a small town that was in the far western part of the forest. “If I’m positive, then that’s where we should be some of the bat ponies that live here.”

“Wait a sec, lemme stop ya right there.” Applejack asked stopping Twilight from speaking any further. “Are ya meanin’ t’ tell me that there are actually ponies livin’ here? In this forest?”

“Yes Applejack, there are.” Fluttershy replied softly. “Goku did say that there are thestrals living in different parts of here. Midnight and Snowflake even showed the different cities and villages here on the map. Or did you forget them telling us that?”

The farmer blushed. “Ah…it looks like Ah did.”

“Yes, I do recall Goku and her darling sisters telling about…three or four other populations in this…terror of a forest.” Rarity nodded, putting a hoof to her chin. “That is what you said, wasn’t it dear?”

“Yes, it was.” Goku confirmed. “Although I did kind of forget that there was a third little civilization on the southern part of the Everfree.” She looked up into the sky as another contemplative thought entered her mind. ‘Not only that, but if what my Mom told is correct, then there’s a fifth one as well. Nestled somewhere in the last place anypony would expect in a place like this.’

“Well that’s some unexpected news. If they actually do exist here, then I’d really like to know just how they can manage to live her.” Zephyr murmured quietly, looking at the four different circled civilizations circled on the map. His two-toned blue eyes went up to a fifth one that was circled, standing under a large patch of clouds, something that piqued his curiosity. The stallion raised a brow at that but chose to think on it later. “So, how long do you think it’ll take us to reach that part of the Everfree Twilight?”

“Well, from what I can see of this map, it may take a little while. Plus, after we leave Gaia Evergreen, we’ll find ourselves trying to cross the Aqua King Ocean; something that I’m sure we’ll need a ship for.” Twilight replied, looking at the map inspectingly. “It’ll also may take us some time to get down from here by simply walking, so we can save it if we run. Or we can even carry each other in flight, that way we can save some time trekking down this mountain and get to Nightmare Moon quicker.”

“I think that sounds like a good idea darling.” Rarity said, smiling at the other mare. “I certainly wouldn’t want to waste all that time walking down form this mountain. All that will accomplish is getting my poor hooves getting covered in more icky muck.”

Rainbow Dash sighed heavily. “Of curse you’d want to go flying for that reason. Seriously Rares, what is so wrong about getting your hooves covered in dirt?”

“Because Dash, there is nothing more revolting then getting your well hooves, or any part of your beautiful frame covered in such a disgusting thing such as dirt.” Rarity replied, frowning at the cyan mare. “I know you’ll never be able to understand this darling but, it’s just the way it is for mares like me! Having even a single speck of dirt anywhere our bodies that carry any beauty is just simply the worst, possible, thing for us!”

“Which is exactly why you’re so up for us going by air and by land down this mountain.” Goku said teasingly. “Anyway, if all of you are down for it, then that’s what we’ll do. Like Twilight said, time is of the essence, and we’ll need to get to the Castle of the Two Sisters as quickly as we can.”

“Exactly what I said.” Twilight said, folding the map and putting it back in her saddlebag. “Hey Zephyr? Are you up for this plan to?”

“Just as long as you guys don’t mind holding onto me while I wear my armor set.” Zephyr replied, gesturing to the gleaming golden armor. “But, yeah, let’s go ahead and-”

The sound of loud clapping thunder struck down the rest of Zephyr’s sentence as a flash of white burst from into the sky. They all looked up just in time to see more thunder crash from within the clouds for a split second before they vanished, as if they weren’t even there.

“W…what was that?!” Applejack asked, calming down a bit. “Is there a storm comin’?!”

“I hope not, I really, really do.” Rarity frowned, one of her hooves going to grab her mane. “That is the last thing my poor mane and tail need right now. If they get soaked in any kind of rain or get burnt by any lightning, I’ll be ruined!”

“It doesn’t really look like there’s a storm coming.” Rainbow Dash replied as she squinted her eyes. “At least, not form where I’m standing. What do you think Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy didn’t say anything, but she did go up to where Zephyr was and look out into the sky with him. As she did so, another stronger clap of lightning resounded across the sky, and a gust of wind began to pick up. Just a second later after that, a loud bird-like call resounded across the air, one that made Fluttershy’s neck fur stand on end.

“What…in the world was that?” Goku asked, picking at one of her ears. “That sounded like a raptor of some sorts.”

“I don’t know, but I’ve never heard a sound like that before!” Pinkie Pie replied, her body shaking a bit. “That sounded like a gurgling of some sort, you know when somepony’s about to spit out a huge mouthful of mouthwash?”

“Yes Pinkie, we know what that sounds like.” Twilight said, her face scrunching up slightly. “Still, you make a good point, that definitely sounded like a bird of some sort. Fluttershy, you said that you know many of the animals here and what kind they are? Do you know what we heard just now?”

“…Yes, I know exaclty what kind of bird that we heard just now.” Fluttershy replied, backing away from the edge of the floored cliff. “And we need to get out of here, quickly!”

“Why?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What sort of bird is coming here?”

“There’s no time to explain!” Fluttershy suddenly shouted, making Zephyr and the rest of her friends jump. “We just need to get off of this cliff edge as quickly as possible!”

Suddenly, a third burst of thunder, followed by the crack of lightning exploded in the air, both of them coming in almost perfect synchronization. Not even a second later, a powerful gust of wind picked up as a loud ear-piercing screech echoed about the atmosphere. All eight ponies looked up and froze when they saw a gigantic cloak of dark blue clouds heading their way, bolts of lightning striking down from it.

“Whoa, there really is a storm coming!” Pinkie Pie shouted holding a foreleg in front of her face. “How did it get here so fast?! I’ve never seen any clouds move that quick before!”

Zephyr, who was staring at the approaching ‘storm’, noticed something on it that made it seem off to his keen eyes. When he was able to make out what he was seeing, he let out a fearful gasp, and turned back to the others. “Girls, we need to get out of here now! Fluttershy’s right; whatever that is, that is not a storm!”

“Y-you know what it is too?!” Fluttershy asked as the wind grew even stronger. “How did you guess?!”

“No time to explain!” Zephyr replied as he grabbed Twilight’s hoof and pulled her along. “That storm that’s coming for us isn’t a real storm! It’s really a-”

That was as far as the royal blue stallion was able to get before another terrifying screech sliced through the air. Then, in a flash of white, a huge bolt of lightning descended down towards the girls at speeds that not even Rainbow Dash was able to anticipate. Rubble and chunks of earth exploded all about as it struck just inches away from the ponies, scattering them about the air before they landed in a heap.

“…Is everypony ok?” Twilight asked with a moan, sitting up as she looked at her friends. “What was that just now?”

“I-it was the b-bird that I saw just now!” Zephyr grunted. “It shot a bolt of lightning at us the second it saw us!”

“It did what?!” Applejack shouted. “How in th’ hay was it able t’ do somethin’ like that! It wasn’t anywhere near us for it t’ be able to!”

“Um…Applejack…” Goku said slowly, her voice tinge with slight apprehensiveness . “…I think you may wanna save that question for later.”

Following the line of the tan thestral’s gaze, Applejack, Twilight, Zephyr, and the other mares all looked up in the sky, and found themselves screaming at what they saw. There, hovering in the sky with lightning dancing about its body, was the biggest raptor any of the mares have ever seen in their entire lives. It was easily the size of one of the houses in Ponyville, maybe even twice that size, with a wingspan to match. It was mostly a mixture of dark green and blue in color, with its legs, stomach, and base of its tail and neck being a deep sandy yellow. Just a few inches above the base of its neck, was a deep orange stripe, with a greenish blue mask going vertically across it’s piercing yellow eyes. Its talons were twice the size of a full-grown stallion, and it had a wingspan stretching over fifty feet long. Its tail feathers reached over twenty-five feet, and it had a large thick feathery crest atop its head, the upper half being the same greenish blue color as its face markings.

“What the…” Rainbow Dash stammered, her eyes bulging. “What in the fuck is that?! Is that some kind of raptor?!”

“Not just any raptor!” Fluttershy replied fearfully, scrambling to her hooves. “It’s a Shinomōkin!”

Rarity frowned at the buttermilk Pegasus. “That thing is a what?”

“A Shinomōkin, Rarity.” Goku translated slowly. “It’s type of bird of prey that takes residence in the skies and the trees of the Everfree Forest and is the biggest raptor to ever exist on Equis! It’s the size of an airship with a wingspan of over fifty feet long, with a twenty-five-foot-long tail span to boot! It has claws that are capable of carrying a full-grown stallion away, and any animal even bigger than that! Not only that, but its jaws are strong enough to be able to snap their spines with a single chomp of its beak!”

“Shit, it can really do that?” Applejack asked, a shiver going down her spine. “But…it don’t even have any teeth!”

“It doesn’t need any teeth Rarity.” Zephyr said grimly, his wings spread in preparation. “All the Shinomōkin needs is its powerful jaw muscles and the sharp edges of its beak to snap the spine of their prey. Its curved upper beak is also designed for ripping and stripping the meat of their prey from their bones, and once they get you in their mouths or beaks, they’ll never let go.” His eyes glowed as his ears flattened. “Not unless you make them that.”

“Oh wow, that sounds like a really scary bird!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Then again, it looks scary already, and everything you just said makes it even scarier!”

“If you think that’s scary, then it’s nothing compared to just what else the Shinomōkin is capable of.” Fluttershy said gravelly. “Its main power is the Everfree weather that’s known to cause the Everfree Forest to go out of control. It can control the lightning within the clouds, and caused wild drills of wind that can wipe out an entire clearing of trees. On occasions, they can even cloak themselves in lighting infused clouds destroying and burning everything in their path as they do so.”

“Are you fucking serious Fluttershy?” Rainbow shouted, her magenta eyes wide with disbelief. “This overgrown chicken can really make itself into a giant lightning filled cloud?”

A fourth burst of thunder cut off whatever Fluttershy was going to say as the Shinomōkin let out another screech, giving its wings a violent flap. Another roar of wind emitted from its wings, the force so strong it sent the group tumbling back more than a few hundred feet. It’s golden eyes gleamed as it glared down at Applejack scornfully, lighting dancing around its entire feathered body.

“I don’t think he liked you calling him that Applejack.” Pinkie whispered to the farmer. “This is why you shouldn’t keep calling animals something that they’re not. I always did tell you that it was going to come back and bit you in your apple covered tushy later.”

“Not if I can help it.” Zephyr declared firmly. “Listen girls, I want you all to get away from here as quickly as you can. I’ll take in this raptor while you guys get down to the cliff.”

“Are you fucking nuts?!” Rainbow Dash shouted incredulously. “There is no way that you can take this thing on your own! Let us help you!”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that.” The royal blue stallion said sternly, shaking his head. “I’m a member of the Royal Guard, and it’s my duty to protect those in danger. Right now, you’re the ones that’re in danger, and I need to keep you all safe.”

“As chivalrous and selfless as that is darling,” Rarity began. “We’re not damsels in distress that need to be saved by a white knight. We are just as much as capable of fighting and defending ourselves as you are.”

“That’s exactly why I want you all to leave!” Zephyr retorted, his voice growing louder. “If you all waste your time trying to fight this raptor, you’re only going to be wasting the energy that you’ll need to fight Nightmare when you meet her! If that happens, she’ll have the advantage over you, along with whatever other creations that she has waiting in store for you.” He looked back at them sternly. “Now get out of here girls, that’s an order!”

“But Zephyr-” Twilight began, only to flinch when Zephyr slammed his hoof on the ground.

“I SAID, LEAVE NOW!” He yelled out, the explosive authoritative power in his voice making them all. Goku was the only one who remained composed, but even she broke into a bit of a sweat. “THAT’S AN ORDER OF A ROYAL GUARD! WHEN I GIVE YOU AN ORDER, YOU’D BETTER FOLLOW IT!”

A short stretch of silence reigned over the cliff edge for a moment as Zephyr stared hard at the seven mares behind him. Goku looked her fellow Shenron right in his eyes, seeing the unwavering resolve in his eyes, along with the hidden pleas behind them. A moment later, she nodded, before she turned around and began to gallop off, using her wings to push the girls along.

“You heard the stallion girls.” She said firmly. “We’ll leave this raptor to him!”

“You can’t be serious Goku!” Rainbow Dash shouted frantically. “You’re really going to let him fight that fucking thing?! Why don't you just let me slice him up?!”

"If I didn’t think he’d be okay, I wouldn’t.” Goku replied sharply. “Besides, there’s no convincing Zephyr when he goes into a state like this. Once he sets his mind on something, nothing we say or do will get him to change his mind."

“But if we leave him behind, he’ll-” Twilight began, only to be cut off again when Goku placed a hoof to her mouth.

“Look, we’re not going to be able to stop him, Twilight!!” Goku snapped harshly. “Besides, he makes a good point, if we waste our time here, we’ll have less of a change to stop Nightmare Moon! It’s just like you said, we can dilly-dally while Nightmare Moon is regaining her power, and has my brother and your sisters all hostage!” She watched as Twilight’s eyed went wide at this reminder. “He’s giving us a chance to do that for as long as we can, and I’m not gonna let any of you waste it!” Turning away from the lavender unicorn, she spread her wings and flew off. “Now let’s go!” She ordered, the tone in her voice leaving zero room for argument.

The rest of the mares stayed where they were, torn on whether to stay and help Zephyr fight, or follow Goku and continue their journey. They once again locked eyes with Zephyr, and one look in his eyes told them he wasn’t going to let them stay here. Reluctantly they followed Goku, and Twilight, after giving Zephyr one last worried glance, took off after her friends.

Smiling in relief, Zephyr looked back at the Shinomōkin, only to see the bird flying past him and soaring straight towards the eight mares. Thinking quickly, he flew in front of the giant raptor as a garnet orange aura surrounded his body. Spreading his wings, he summoned lightning all around his body before he shot a large bolt at the Shinomōkin. It struck the bird right in its chest, sending it flying back as it screeched out in pain. Zephyr then flew up to the bird and bucked it right in its large face, sending it crashing into the ground and causing a large dust cloud to envelop it.

As Zephyr landed on the ground, the Shinomōkin burst out form the ground and took to the air, screeching in rage as it glared down at Zephyr. Its whole body chirped with lightning as its golden eyes burned into the royal blue stallion’s, who stared back unflinchingly.

“Sorry, but I’m not going to let you get to these girls so easily!” He shouted as he lashed his tail out. “If you want to get to them, you’ll have to go through the one and only Golden Azure Dragon himself!”

Screeching in retaliation, the Shinomōkin screeched at the Solar Royal Guard and dived down towards him, fully intent on him impaling him with its beak. Zephyr snorted and ascended into the air, his cloak of lighting chirping loudly as he let out battle neigh. The raptor and pegasus both met in a midair clash, their screeches and whinnies echoing about the mountain edge.

I'll say this right now, that this chapter is a combination of both the old one and this somewhat newly revised one of the beginning of the girls journey into the Everfree Forest, with some glaring differences added to it. This is taking place an hour and a half after Zephyr and the girls had left the Golden Oaks Library, so they are just beginning to get started on their adventure through the world's most dangerous forest. I've also added some extra things like a couple of the girls looking back on fond memories as well as how they're gonna get through the forest, and where they're going to be going and even stopping at should it be some of the civilizations that I've put in the Evefree. I won't be showing all of them, because honestly, that would be dragging this out, even though I plan to make this story even longer, but I may show one more after the two that the girls will be going to, I'm not really sure yet.

Next Time: We'll be getting a look back into the Town Square with Derpy, Dinky and Amethyst, we well as some interaction between Snowflake and Midnight.