Scootaloo smiled at all of the ponies gathered around her as she walked into her home. "Happy Birthday!" They all yelled in unison." Scootaloo finally turned 16 and everypony she knew was there to celebrate it with her. "Happy Birthday Scoot!" Her two best friends Sweetie Belle and Applebloom yelled at her.

"Thanks you guy's!" Scootaloo said pulling both of them into a tight hug. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"You know we wouldn't miss this for the world." Sweetie Belle said to scoot while Applebloom chimed in, "Besides, you were there for me when ah turned 16 three months ago and for my trials."

Scootaloo groaned as it hit her that her trials began the next day. Everypony who comes of age has to undergo a trial that consisted of traveling from one end of the Everfree Forest to the other and then back. Nopony is allowed to use their special abilities be it magic or flight. Its a frightening trial since many ponies don't return, their fate unknown whether they simply wished to not make the journey back, or died deep within the bowels of the forest.

Hearing the conversation between the friends and Scootaloo's anxious groan Rainbow Dash walked over to the mare. "Hey there Scootaloo, happy birthday. I know your worried about your trials tomorrow, but just remember what I've been training you for this past month."

"I know Rainbow, but I'm still nervous as buck." Scootaloo said.

"Hey no need for that kind of language, besides Applejack helped Applebloom out and she made it through fine so it should be a piece of cake for you!" Rainbow said proudly, noticing Applejack glaring at her across the room, "Oh Um, no offense?" Dash said chuckling towards Applejack who just smiled and turned back to the ponies she was talking to.

"You know what, your right Rainbow, I am ready for this!" Scootaloo exclaimed jumping up and startling some ponies. She blushed a little realizing how loud she was, "Uh sorry about that..." she said chuckling in a way that mirrored Rainbow dash's.

"Trust me, you're going to do great! I'm going to go talk to some ponies, enjoy your party!" Dash said walking away.

"She's right in a way you know," Applebloom said, "Other than the part about me and mah sister, you couldn't ask for a better pony to help you than Rainbow."

"And if Snips and Snails were able to make it through the forest and back then you'll definitely make it!" Sweetie Belle added

"I guess you guys are right, I don't want to think about this anymore, let's go liven this party up a little!" Scootaloo said happily as they all ran towards the ponies just standing around.

That night nopony in Ponyville slept while the party raged into the night. Rainbow Dash made sure Pinkie made this party the best she ever had, the Crusaders just added their own touch to the noise and commotion of the party.

That night after the party was over an everypony left for home, Scootaloo told her parents good night as she went up to bed and fell into a deep sleep dreaming about the day ahead of her.

Shortly after falling asleep, Scootaloo began to dream. Although it wasn't a dream, it was the worst nightmare Scootaloo had ever experienced. She was already deep within the Everfree Forest, except she was being followed by some creature. She didn't know what it was and the Scootaloo in the dream wasn't aware of its presence. She watched as the shadowy figure slowly moved out from the bushes sneaking up on the unsuspecting mare. It made its way closer to Scootaloo slowly reaching above its head revealing its razor sharp claws. As it was about to strike, Scootaloo woke up with a gasp and sweat coating her fur.

Scootaloo turned and looked out her window to see Celestia's sun rising above the Everfree Forest. The longer she looked at the forest, the colder and more frightened she felt. She was broken from her trance by the smell of Pancakes and haybrowns. Now noticing how hungry she was despite the load of cake she downed the night before, Scootaloo stretched and got out of bed ready for her trials to begin.