Time slipped from Twilight's grasp, one second wasting away after another. The sun moved across the sky mechanically, an unnerving reminder of the task at hand.

“Clock is ticking, Twilight. Clock, is, ticking!” the unicorn said to herself. Twilight's attempts to save herself from the loneliness she had once experienced when she was a filly had proved fruitless up to that point. None of Twilight's friends required her help, and they certainly didn't care enough to help her out. They didn't understand how important it was, but Twilight knew better.

She paced around her room, trying not to think of being torn away from her friends. “Keep it together.” No, that wouldn't happen, she wasn't going back to Magic Kindergarten. An idea blossomed in her mind, as a smile did the same upon her face.

“If I can't find a friendship problem...” Twilight Sparkle stroked her mane, magically opening a cyan chest. Her smile widened as a ragged doll floated in her grasp, yet she couldn't help but feel empty at the thought of letting it go.

“I'll make a friendship problem!”

---

It wasn't something that Twilight wanted to think about. Now though, these memories lingered in her mind as she trotted across Sweet Apple Acres and made her way to the barn. A few seconds after she knocked on the door, it creaked open.

Applejack stood on the other side, tipping her Stetson as she spoke. “Howdy Twilight!”

“Hi Applejack, is your brother here?” Twilight asked.

“Big Macintosh? Think he's buckin' the last few apples we got this season. Why?” Nopony often came to Sweet Apple Acres to see Big Macintosh. He was relatively quiet, a shadow in Ponyville's society.

Twilight looked to her side, avoiding Applejack's gaze. “It's... Do you remember what happened a week ago?”

Applejack sighed. “Listen Twilight, you didn't do nothin' wrong. We should'a listened to you from the start.”

“Thanks Applejack. I appreciate your empathy.” Twilight said, looking back to Applejack's eyes. “It's not about that though. I just need to get Smarty Pants back from Big Macintosh.”

The farmer pony tilted her head. “Smarty Pants? What's that?”

“The doll I uh... She's the doll I cast that spell on, causing the riot in Ponyville.” Twilight's began to shy away upon speaking of the occasion again. “I-I think I saw Big Macintosh taking the doll after Princess Celestia came and dispelled it.

Applejack's looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words for it. She stared blankly at the lavender pony for a moment. She grinned, and then started to laugh. “Whew! Good one Twilight! Big Mac takin' that doll for himself!”

Twilight decided to play along, giggling nervously. “Alright then, I guess I'll ask him if Smarty Pants did all her homework. Bye Applejack.”

Applejack laughed even harder, closing her eyes as she leaned onto the bottom-half of the stable door to support herself. Twilight gave a her warm smile as she backed away from the barn.

Sweet Apple Acres was vast, but Twilight could easily tell where to find Big Macintosh, as there were only a few trees which still held apples. Twilight walked towards the bulky pony, the sound of heavy hooves connecting with bark grew louder as she approached. “Hi Big Macintosh.” she said.

He gave out a nod, before moving on to the next tree. “Howdy Miss.”

“Uh, could we talk about something?” Twilight asked.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said.

“It's about that doll. Everything that happened last week,” she mentioned.

“Eeyup.” He repeated, bucking the tree behind him, not paying much attention to the conversation.

“I was wondering where it went, and I think you took it.” Twilight saw Big Macintosh's eyes widen.

“How... How did you find out? D-Don't tell nopony 'bout it, please!” He looked around sharply, hoping that there wasn't anypony else nearby. It wasn't likely, but he would prefer that the secret stayed only with Twilight.

Twilight gave out a light giggle. “Don't worry, your secret's safe with me! I just need to take Smarty Pants back, if you wouldn't mind.”

“I'm sorry Twilight. I uh... Ah got a little embarrassed playing with it for so long.” He looked down, acting quite shy for a stallion of his build. “It was mighty hard to hide it from Applejack, so yesterday, I gave it to Apple Bloom as a gift.”

“I see.” Twilight said. “So you don't have Smarty Pants?'

Big Mac shook his head. “Eenope. Mah lil' sis' does. Applejack's should be goin' to the schoolhouse t' pick Apple Bloom up by now. Think I see her right there,” he pointed.

“Thank you, Big Macintosh. I'll see you later.” Twilight said.

“Twilight,” she could hear Big Mac's voice from behind her. “Don't tell Applejack, please?”

Twilight smiled at him before turning to catch up with Applejack. She broke into a gallop to reach her faster, hooves beating against grass, and then against the dirt road by Applejack. “Applejack, wait!” she called out.

“Hey Twilight, what's goin' on?” The orange mare stopped to wait for Twilight.

“Hi Applejack, mind if I come with you to Ponyville Elementary?” she asked.

“Not at all!” Applejack said. “I'm taking Apple Bloom to Sugarcube Corner when I get there, wanna' come?”

“Of course. Actually, I've been meaning to talk to Apple Bloom. Big Macintosh told me she has Smarty Pants,” said Twilight.

“Wait a moment.” Applejack turned her head to Twilight. “I thought you were jokin' 'bout Big Mac and that doll.”

Twilight bit her lip. “I uh... Yes, I was. He just told me that...” There was a pause, she couldn't word her way out of this one.

“That yer' not a good liar?” Applejack grinned, she was the Element of Honesty, after all. She snickered. “You know, I thought it was a mite funny when you said he took that doll. Didn't think he'd start playing with those again.”

“A-Again? Well, don't tell him that I gave him away.” Twilight stammered.

The farmer pony nodded her head. “I won't.”

“Do you swear?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, I swear.” Applejack said.

“Pinkie Pie swear?” she added.

Applejack stopped so she could motion with her forelegs. “Cross my heart an' hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my-- Woah nelly!” she hit eye with her hoof, laughing when she got her hooves back on the ground, rather than on her face.

Twilight couldn't help but chortle as well, the innocence reminded her a bit about childhood. Perhaps not her childhood though, she spent most of her time as a filly studying. Endless piles of books surrounded her, but nopony to talk to. As a filly in Canterlot, she didn't have anypony to call her friend, nor did she want one. One fateful day however, and she was a bit closer.

Entranced in thought, she remembered her attempt to spread the joys she appreciated so much to other fillies. She shuddered upon remembering how helpless she was.

---

Popping out of a bush, Twilight laughed intensely. Her plan would work out just fine, or so she thought. The mare was overjoyed, too satisfied with her idea to notice the bird's nest on her head.

Three fillies played out in the grass, passing a ball to one-another. It stretched, inflated, and finally, it popped to reveal Twilight. “Hi girls!” she said, donning the most convincing smile she could think of.

The yellow one spoke, Twilight was sure she'd love Smarty Pants. “Oh, hi Twilight. How's it goi-”

“Great! Just great! You three look like you're doing great too! Looks like three good friends who obviously don't need the help of another good friend!” Twilight smiled as she stroked her violet mane. A worn, gray doll floated next to her as she spoke. “This is Smarty Pants. She was mine when I was your age, and now I want to give her to you!” she winced, reluctant to give the doll away. It had to be done though. It was this, or Magic Kindergarten.

“Uh... she's... great.” The pegasus which slightly resembled a chicken said.

“Yeah... great.” Applejack's sister added.

It seemed as if Sweetie Belle really liked Smarty Pants' mane.

Twilight was very pleased with the enthusiasm of the fillies. “She even comes with her own notebook and quill, for when you want to pretend she's doing her homework!

Scootaloo spoke first again. “That's um... Great.”

“Yeah... great...” Apple Bloom repeated.

It now appeared to be very likely that Sweetie Belle liked her mane.

Twilight Sparkle looked away from them, seeming as innocent as she possibly could. “I just hope that the fact that there are three of you and only one of her doesn't become a problem. I'd hate to cause a rift between such good friends!” she pushed the doll towards the three fillies. “So, who wants to play with her first?”

The mare could hear them arguing amongst each other, but it was too quiet for her to word it out. “I gotta' think of something! Think, think, think, Twilight, think!” she gasped when an idea popped into her head, one that would seal her place as a resident of Ponyville, and more importantly, as a good friend. “That's it!”

Her horn started to glow as her smile widened. “You're going to like Smarty Pants, and you're going to like her, more than anything!

---

The sound of a ringing school bell threw Twilight back into reality. She wasn't sure how long it took them to get to Ponyville Elementary, or if she and Applejack had even spoken while she was thinking so deeply. “Applejack, what time is it?”

Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Twilight, you've asked me that three times already. You sure there ain't nothin' wrong?”

“Yes. Yes, I'm sure.” Twilight said.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Well, whatever it is, doesn't seem like you wanna' talk about it.”

Foals burst out of the school doors, greeting their parents or older siblings who came to pick them up. Amongst the swirling mass of overly-excited fillies and colts, the Cutie Mark Crusaders trotted alongside each other.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack waved to make her presence known. Applejack said something to her two friends, and they trotted off in another direction. Sweetie Belle attempted to wave while trotting, but ended up stumbling slightly and picking herself back up.

Applejack galloped towards her sister. “Hey sis'! What are you doin' here?”

“I'm pickin' you up, that's what.” Applejack replied, ruffling her sister's mane. “After that, we're goin' to Sugarcube Corner, grab ourselves a bite to eat.”

“Sis', ah don't need to be picked up. I'm old enough by now. This doesn't happen to Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom pouted, leering at the ground.

“Of course it doesn't.” Applejack wasn't really paying attention. “Right, and Twilight here wanted a word with ya'.”

The small, yellow filly looked back up. “Oh, hey Twilight. What do you need?”

“Hi Apple Bloom. About that doll your brother gave you... Could I have it back?” Subtlety was not one of her strong points.

“Ah'm sorry Twilight. I-I can't give it to you.”

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack called out. “You gotta' share your toys, even if Twilight's too old to play with them.”

“Said I'm sorry! I don't have it!” Apple Bloom retorted, looking away from her sister. “Ah went with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to give it to Zecora yesterday!”

“Zecora?” Applejack asked. “She's in the Everfree Forest! You didn't plan on telling me this?”

“N-No ma'am.” Apple Bloom stammered.

“You could'a gotten yourselves hurt, or worse in there! What do you have to say for yourself?” Applejack asked.

“I-I'm sorry.” she shrunk into a tiny yellow ball with a red ribbon.

The orange mare sighed. “Apple Bloom, you gotta' to tell me this stuff. I'm not doin' this to take your fun away, it's for yer' safety.”

“Your sister's right, Apple Bloom. The Everfree Forest is a dangerous place, you don't know what could happen to you there.” Twilight said, vaguely remembering her encounter with a seemingly harmless cockatrice.

“Sorry, I won't do it again.” the filly spoke at a nearly inaudible level.

“Great, then let's get goin' to Sugarcube Corner!” Applejack said.

Apple Bloom nudged her sister's foreleg. “Sis', I told my friends that that I'd meet them at Rarity's.”

“Darn it Apple Bloom, I came up here just to spend some time with you.” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Applejack, I promised them I'd be there. I promised!” she repeated, as if it were to make a difference.

Applejack looked into her quivering eyes, they seemed coy enough. “Alright Apple Bloom,” she sighed. “Go an' play with your friends.”

“Thanks a heap sis'! Bye Applejack, bye Twilight!” she half galloped, half scrambled in the direction of Carousel Boutique.

“Bye Apple Bloom.” Twilight waved with her foreleg.

“Looks like it's just you and I again.” Applejack sighed.

Twilight lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

The orange mare chuckled, before her neutral expression returned. “Nothing, just wanted to spend some more time with my sis', you know?”

“Oh, sorry, I just thought you didn't want me around.” Twilight said.

“Well, where'd you get that idea from? 'Course I want you around.” Applejack paused. “Twilight, you've been acting a mite off today, mind telling me that thing that's been botherin' you?”

The unicorn gave out a fake smile. “Oh, that's alright Applejack, I'd just look silly trying to explain it.”

“Twilight, I'm your friend, I'll take you as seriously as I can.” Applejack said.

“Alright.” Twilight inhaled deeply. “I've been thinking about that riot I caused last week, and there's just so much regret. Smarty Pants too, I can't stop thinking about her. I need to get her back.

Applejack tilted her head. “You mean the doll? Maybe you should just leave it with Zecora. It's just a doll, ain't it?”

Twilight Sparkle sighed. “I told you I'd sou-”

“No, no, I'm sorry.” Applejacked interrupted, feeling slightly guilty. “So you're plannin' to go into the Everfree Forest to get that doll back?”

“Y-Yes, I am actually.” Twilight nodded.

Applejack grinned. “Kind of ironic ain't it? How we just told my sis' it was dangerous to go in there?”

“Oh please Applejack, I'm a grown mare. I can handle myself.” Twilight said.

“Well, not alone you can't. I'm comin' with you.” Applejack placed a hoof on her companion's shoulder. “Ah just need a bite at Sugarcube Corner first.” she chuckled.

---

It was a highly decorated building. Sweets of all kinds lined the counters, their smells taunted Twilight's nostrils as she walked past them.

“You need anything?” Applejack asked.

Twilight shook her head. “No thanks.” Her stomach quietly growled in revulsion. “On second thought, I'd like red velvet cupcake.”

A cyan earth pony at the counter spoke to them. “Why, hello dearies. What will you be having today?”

“I'll take a large apple crisp, and a red velvet cupcake.” Applejack said.

“Wonderful, that'll be three bits.” Mrs. Cake smiled.

“Uh... Right. Just need to find me three bits.” Applejack brought her hoof to her chin. “Hang on a second.”

“I'm sorry dear, but I can't just give these sweets out for free.” Mrs. Cake frowned.

“Darn it! Never knew I could be so careless, didn't even think of bringin' any bits.” It was a very embarrassing moment for Applejack.

Twilight averted her gaze from Mrs. Cake to her friend. “Um, Applejack. That's alright, you don't ne-”

“I-It's okay.” A soft voice interrupted. “I can pay for it.”

“Well, that is a very nice thing you're doing for your friends, Fluttershy.” The mare at the counter said.

“Thanks Fluttershy. That's mighty kind of you.” Applejack sighed.

Fluttershy pulled a small purse from under her wings, and gently moved three bits over to Mrs. Cake. “Oh... It's nothing. Why don't you girls sit with Pinkie and I?”

“Thank you Fluttershy, that would be great.” Twilight smiled.

A freckled stallion arrived shortly, carrying the food Applejack and Twilight ordered. He gave a meek nod before leaving. The three ponies walked towards a table where Pinkie Pie was sitting. “Hi girls, I'm on a break! The Cakes gave me another one because I made a big, tasty mess in the kitchen!”

“Hello Pinkie.” Twilight took a bite out of her magically floating cupcake. “So they didn't make you clean the mess up yourself?”

“Nope!” Pinkie smiled, throwing her face into a large chocolate cake reserved for herself.

Fluttershy took a bite out of her half-eaten blueberry muffin, setting it next to a gift basket with some cookies in it.

“Fluttershy, are you gonna' eat all them cookies?” Applejack asked, ignoring the fact that Pinkie Pie was eating an entire cake.

“No, silly! That's a gift basket, a basket which you give as a gift to somepony!” Pinkie Pie mentioned, her face smeared in chocolate. “Hence the 'gift' and the 'basket', in 'gift basket'!”

“Oh... Right.” Applejack shrunk away.

“Yes, I'm going to give these to Zecora. One of my squirrels got sick, and then... The rest of them did as well. When Zecora came by yesterday, she gave me some herbs, they all got better in a day.”

“Zecora?” Twilight asked. “Applejack and I are going to see her too, we'll go with you.”

“O-Okay. That'd be nice,” Fluttershy said, finishing her muffin.

Applejack placed both of her forelegs on the table, as if only to make a noise. “Great! So that's three of us, how 'bout you Pinkie?”

“I'm in, we'll go together so those scary Everfree Monsters don't gobble us up!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Pinkie Pie, aren't you on your break?” Twilight commented, subtly pointing a hoof at Mr. Carrot Cake who glared at the pink pony.

“Oh, that's right... Sorry girls, I've gotta' get back to work!” she dashed back into the kitchen. As the door shut behind her, the sound crashing bakeware emanated from the room.

“Darn, that's a shame.” Applejack commented. “Well, Fluttershy, we still got you and that stare o' yours. How does it even work?”

Fluttershy nervously giggled. “I really don't know. It just happens by itself. Sometimes when I'm nervous, or... Or when I'm angry...”

Twilight wasn't actually conscious to witness being saved from the cockatrice. She'd only heard of it. She was fully awake however, as her body was being petrified by it. The creature had started from the horn, down to her hooves, as if to block out her magic.

It wasn't completely necessary, as the magic of unicorns was limited in the depths of the Everfree. It was almost as if the magic of the forest itself was interfering with the unicorn's power. Twilight, as powerful of a magic user as she was, could only teleport short distances, and perform simple magical actions. She believed that the cockatrice just wanted to be on the safe side.

Applejack chuckled. “Fluttershy being angry, now that's a good one!” Twilight decided to stifle her own laughter.

Fluttershy then started to laugh herself. “Oh girls. You remember how I acted at the Gala, don't you?”

A welcome silence overtook the two other ponies.

---

Twilight Sparkle never felt comfortable in the Everfree Forest, even when she had her friends by her side. The suppression of her magic was intimidating. Earth ponies like Applejack or Pinkie Pie didn't have flight, or magic, but they seemed used to it. Twilight's inequine magical strength had her rely on her horn much more often than her hooves.

As the trio walked along the road, even Applejack seemed a bit disheartened. She was a strong pony, yes, but the beasts of the Everfree were strong as well, sometimes much stronger. Only Fluttershy really seemed to hold any modicum of comfort amongst this sea of unpredictable danger. Of all ponies, it was Fluttershy to hold the least fear in such a place.

None of the three felt like making much noise until they reached Zecora's hut. It felt warm, despite the coldness of the forest. The zebra inside moved from her cauldron to greet her guests. “Applejack, Fluttershy, and even Twilight! To what luck, do I owe this delight?”

“H-Hi Zecora. Thank you for giving me those herbs yesterday. These are for you.” Fluttershy set the basket of cookies down on a thin wooden table.

Zecora smiled widely. She didn't often get gifts from ponies, let alone even talk with them. “No please, the pleasure was all mine. Your kindness however, is simply divine.”

“Oh... It was no problem.” Fluttershy blushed.

“Um, Zecora. I don't mean to impose, but did Apple Bloom happen to give you a doll? I've had it since I was a filly, and I would really like it back.” Twilight said.

“Yes, a doll from the filly did I receive, and yet my care with it was so naive.” Zecora frowned as she continued. “Had I the doll, I would gladly give it back. Alas, your desire is something I lack.”

A small bead of sweat dripped down Twilight's face. “You don't have it, what happened to Smarty Pants?”

“You're gettin' a bit worked up here Twilight.” Applejack wiped the bead from Twilight's face.

“I was out in the forest gathering herbs, dropping the doll when I felt disturbed.” Zecora said. “Wild creatures, their emotions? Devoid. These fearful beasts I wished to avoid. In a wave of panic I dropped your token. The monster I was sure, had been awoken. To let go of that gift, it was such a shame. For that Twilight, you have me to blame.”

“I-It's okay Zecora, I'm fine with it.” Twilight said. “Alright girls, let's go home.”

“Hold on Twilight.” Applejack held a hoof out in front of her friend. “Zecora, you remember where you left that doll?”

The zebra nodded, closing her eyes. “Amidst the chaos I never forgot. Back from the road along which you would trot. A peaceful grove is what you seek, but the fauna there is not so meek. I advise you to stay far from such a place, lest you be taken by death's cold embrace.”

“I'm sure we'll be fine, my friends aren't gettin' hurt while I'm around.” Applejack said.

Zecora sighed. “To find a place so vacant and hollow, the “Acanti” plant, you will have to follow.

Twilight started to smile. “Thank you Zecora, but what do these plants look like?”

“They are beautiful flowers, with petals so orange...” Zecora trailed off. There was a pause, and then seconds passed. An awkward silence filled the room, and then incomprehensible utterances escaped her mouth. The three ponies exchanged glances before looking back to the zebra, who smiled nervously. She spoke, her accentuation sounding like that of a question's.

“Doorhinge?”

Next Chapter: Chapter 2 Estimated time remaining: 51 Minutes