Rainbow Dash woke up the following morning, still feeling strange, even more now because of her nightmare. She realized it was eleven, got out of her bed, and shook out her main and left. Since she didn't have to work today she decided to go for a walk around Ponyville.

'Nothing new today," she said, "I guess I'll just go over to Sugar Cube Corner, and see if Pinkie is there." She opened her wings and flew there.

Once there she went inside. Mrs. Cake was there handing out an order to a customer. Mr. Cake was on break and sitting at the table reading a newspaper.

"Excuse me Mrs. Cake is Pinkie home?"

"Why yes she is dear, she will be up in a moment; she is bringing up some bags of flower from the basement."

"Ok," Dash replied, "Mr. Cake could I look at your paper when you're done with it?"

"That's fine with me." He said, "But why do you want to read it? We didn't think you would be one to read the paper."

"I want to see if the Wonder Bolts are in it."

"Well I just read this paper cover to cover and nothing on the Wonder Bolts."

"Oh, well then what is in it?"

"Well read this then." He got up and handed her the paper. It was opened to a page with a large headline that said "Ponyvill Citizens Lost and Found"

"This title sounded reassuring," Rainbow said.

"Keep reading." Mr. Cake said

"The Everfree Forest seems like a nice place to go camping, but it's not. Well not for local pony folk Cherry Main and Lucky Cloud. The two went camping four days ago, their bodies were found last night. The Pegasus, Lucky Cloud was found with a large bite mark around his neck. It was to be believed that this was done by some wild animal but that idea was thrown out the window when some of his feathers were missing and when Cherry Main's body was found. She was a unicorn but when the body was found her horn was nothing but dust. It is unknown what could have caused this, but all we know is that this isn't the first time something like this has happed. For the most part the victims were far apart but this time the victims were found together. Who or what could have done such a thing? We will keep posted in the days to come.

"This doesn't sound awesome," said Rainbow Dash. "Well whoever did this isn't getting my feathers."

"Hay here comes Pinkie Pie." Mr. Cake said. "Pinkie, Rainbow Dash is here."

"Ok, I got the flower." Pinkie said "Hay Dashie, what brings you here?"

"Well…"

"You're here to try the new cookies we baked."

"No I'm just here to see if you are still coming to Rarity's dinner tonight."

"Of coerce I am. I never forget." Pinkie said with a smile.

"Well that's good to know." At that moment Dash's stomach cramped up.

"Is something the matter Dashie?"

"I've been feeling weird since last night."

"What's happened?"

"I was getting off my shift from clearing the clouds and I saw several of my coworkers getting together and leaving."

"And then what?"

"That's when the cramps started. I thought it was because of work, surprising the thunder clouds are heavier then they look. But anyway I headed home and went to bed, I thought that a good night sleep would help it and that's when I had a horrible nightmare."

"A ni-ni-ni-nightmare?" Pinkie said shuddering. "Was it Nightmare Moon?"

"No it was worse. You and the girls were there and you say "Twilight is dying."

"Oh, I would never say something like that."

"I know I was going to tell everyone at dinner tonight."

"I think you should, it's good to tell your friends if you have a nightmare."

"What's worse is that I think it may come true."

"What makes you say that?"

Rainbow handed Pinkie the newspaper open to the article.

"Read this."

Pinkie speed read over the article. Next thing you know she darted up to her room screaming.

"That was scary to her; wow she is easy to spook." Dash said raising and eyebrow. "Well I best be off."

"Rainbow Dash," Mrs. Cake said.

"Yes?"

"I heard that there are some new pony's in town why don't you go say hi."

"Maybe I will." With that, Rainbow Dash was off.

The following events take place before Rainbow Dash woke up.

"I've been flying all night, my wings are tired, are we there yet?" the red Pegasus complained.

"You want me to give you a second reason to call you Red Thorn?" the Unicorn said sounding annoyed.

"You know you don't scare me?" Red Thorn replied, "It's just I have been carrying the little brat all night."

"Stop complaining, you all need your rest. So when the little brat wakes up you can walk." Black Rose said, "You know walk it's what you do with your legs."

Red Thorn scoffed at the remark.

"Don't give me look."

"I'll give you any look I…" he stopped and sniffed the air.

"What is it? What do you smell?"

"Hot apple cider. I think we are getting close." He sniffed again. "It is that way."

"Wake up Amber and let's get moving."

Red Thorn grabbed Little Amber of his back and through her down violently.

"Daddy, what's going on?" still sounding sleepy

"Food, that's what." He kicked her and she stood up quickly. "Now move."

"Hurry up you slowpokes!" Black Rose yelled.

They ran through the forest until they wound up at Sweet Apple Akers.

"It's an apple orchard?" Black Rose said flatly, "Well that explains the cider smell."

"Maybe we can find who ever works here and get some answers."

"So you do have something in that cranium of yours."

"That wasn't funny."

"Stop complaining and let's see who lives here."

The three of them walked to the nearby farm; Red Thorn kept kicking Amber all the way there.

"Ouch," Amber squeaked.

"Quit whining."

"Why do you keep kicking her?"

"One to annoy you, two so she won't speak about what we do and three it's fun."

"Well I do it just to keep her in line, and she can't speak about what we do."

"Oh right, not if she wants to louse her tongue."

"Mommy, Daddy,"

"What do you want?" Red yelled.

"Thorn, that's not how you ask." Black Rose said. "What is it you little brat?"

"Uh… uh…" she was trembling

"Spit it out or hold your tongue," Black said coldly

"It's just, there is somepony over there."

"Well then speak up next time," Red Thorn replied

"You two stop babbling and come on." They walked over to the pony; he was a big red earth pony.

"Pardon us," Black Rose asked.

"How ya doing, the names Big Mackintosh but everypony calls me Big Mac."

"Pleaser to meet you," Thorn replied.

"Say what are the three you yawl doing my family's orchard?"

"Well you see… we thought this was part of the forest and we didn't expect to run into anypony."

"I understand, say what yawl names are?"

"I'm Black Rose; this is my husband Red Thorn and this is our daughter Little Amber."

"Help me," Amber lip spoke at Big Mac.

"Well I do say she's a perishes little thing." Big Mac said. "I've got a little one myself, not a son or daughter or anything, a little sister."

"You do?" Red Thorn beamed.

"Pardon us for a moment," Black Rose said as she pulled Red to the side, "What are you planning?"

"We can leave the brat here so we can get rid of her. Plus she can't speak about us anyway."

"So you do have a brain." She turned to Big Mac, 'Say is it possible to meet your little sister?"

"I don't see the harm in that, but why?"

"Little Amber hasn't had a pony her age to play with in a long time."

"With the exception of poison ivy," Red Thorn mumbled. Black Rose elbowed him.

"I don't see why not," Big Mac said, "Apple Bloom, there is somepony I want you to meet."

Before you knew it three fillies appeared. It was Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo.

"You wanted to see me big bro." Apple Bloom said.

"Yes, it seems we have some new pony folk and they have a daughter."

"We were just wondering if she could play with you, and your friends." Black Rose said

"Say hi Amber," Red said, gently kicking her.

"Hi," Amber said shyly.

"Speak up," Black Rose said.

"It's ok, I heard her." Apple Bloom said.

"Well aren't you three cutest thing." Red Thorn said as he approached them.

Apple Bloom took a step back. Sounding nervous she said, "I take it that you're her father."

"Yes I am, but why do look so nervous, come on show us a smile," He said sounding cheery. "Watch I'll smile." He forced himself into making a big grin that sounded like bones creaking and it showed his sharp teeth.

"Nice to meet yawl," said Apple Bloom

"Me too," said Sweetie Bell,

"Same here," said Scootaloo. She and Sweetie Bell were out of there leaving a cloud of smoke. Apple Bloom stayed behind.

"Thorn, I told you not to make that face." Black said.

"Pipe down Rosie."

"Don't call me Rosie."

"I see ya got a way with ." Big Mac said, "What's with your teeth?"

"Well you see, because we do a lot of traveling, we need to keep Amber safe, so we sharpened our teeth to frighten off anything that would pose a threat."

"Wait both of ya has sharp teeth?"

"Yes," Black Rose said, "See," she grinned a little, "But I prefer not to show them off."

"I see," Said Big Mac, "well let me take ya to town, we always welcome new ponies,"

"Thank you Mr. Macintosh."

"Call me Big Mac."

"OK, let's go Red Thorn," Black Rose said, "Little Amber, you… are… aloud… to play… with Apple Bloom and her friends." She forced the words out.

"Calm down, Rosie, she won't say anything."

"Whatever, let's go."

From there Black Rose and Red Thorn went with Big Mac and Little Amber went with Apple Bloom.